FCCPC warns against smuggled low-quality sugar in markets

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has raised an alarm over the influx of smuggled, low-quality sugar brands from Brazil, including Grupo Moreno, Terous, USI S. Joao, Alvean, and Arapora Bionergia, into Nigerian markets.

According to a remark by the commission’s Director, Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, on Wednesday, after the FCCPC conducted discreet investigations following a tip-off, it revealed that the products fail to meet mandatory Vitamin A fortification standards, posing significant health risks to consumers, enunciating that the products also undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s local sugar industry and contribute to price manipulation, harming the market.

Ijagwu said, “The investigations revealed that many of the identified sugar products lacked normal labeling, including production and expiry dates, batch numbers, and the mandatory National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration. Even more concerning, most of the products were not fortified with Vitamin A, a critical nutrient essential for good vision, immune health, and overall well-being. The absence of this fortification exposes Nigerian consumers to serious health risks, including blindness and increased susceptibility to infections, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women.

“The FCCPC is also deeply concerned about the economic impact of these products. The influx of smuggled sugar undermines fair competition, placing undue pressure on compliant local producers who adhere to regulatory standards. Importers of these substandard products engage in price manipulation to the detriment of genuine producers and consumers, while pretending that the products are genuine. This jeopardises the sustainability of the Nigerian sugar industry and also erodes consumer trust in the market.

“Smuggling, facilitated through porous borders, particularly from neighbouring countries such as Cameroon and the Benin Republic, further complicates enforcement efforts and hampers traceability.”

The commission reassured the general public that consistent with the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, it is taking decisive steps to address this issue, stating that the ”Commission is committed to educating consumers about the dangers of non-fortified and substandard sugar products through nationwide awareness campaigns. Nigerian consumers are encouraged to verify the authenticity of sugar products by ascertaining they carry proper labelling, including NAFDAC registration and evidence of Vitamin A fortification.

The FCCPC is intensifying enforcement and surveillance in collaboration with NAFDAC, the Nigeria Customs Service, and other relevant agencies. These efforts include enhanced surveillance and follow-up market inspections to disrupt the supply chain of smuggled sugar products.

“The FCCPC is also engaging with industry stakeholders to promote compliance with quality standards, protect local producers, and foster fair competition within the sugar market.”

The consumers were advised to remain vigilant and report any suspected substandard or unregistered sugar products to the FCCPC.

“Reports can be made through the Commission’s email, contact@fccpc.gov.ng, or its official social media channels,” the statement noted.