The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to food vendors involved in adulteration and forced ripening of fruits, urging them to desist from such practices or face legal sanctions.
The warning was delivered by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Olatunji Bello, while addressing market women during a one-day sensitisation programme titled “Forced Ripening of Fruits, Adulterated Palm Oil, Contaminated Meat, and Grains” held on Wednesday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Represented at the event by the commission’s Director of Quality Assurance and Development, Nkechi Mba, Bello explained that the FCCPC, as Nigeria’s apex consumer protection body, has the statutory mandate to promote consumer interests, ensure fair market practices, and prevent dangerous conduct across all sectors, including agriculture.
“Let it be known that any operator who places profit over people’s safety will face the full wrath of the law. To food industry stakeholders: the future of your businesses depends on your integrity. Upholding food safety and quality is not only a legal obligation but a moral duty.
“Food safety is everyone’s responsibility, and the FCCPC remains firmly committed to working with all stakeholders to build a marketplace that is fair, transparent, and safe for consumers”, he said.
Bello urged consumers to be knowledgeable, vigilant, and informed, and to always demand the standards they deserve. The sensitisation programme was designed to educate and empower both consumers and industry stakeholders on proper food handling, labelling, regulatory compliance, and ethical conduct in the marketplace.
He also noted that the campaign is part of the commission’s broader strategy to educate Nigerians on how to identify adulterated or contaminated food, understand the dangers of chemically ripened fruits, and access avenues for complaints and redress.
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