The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has directed manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers to immediately review their inventories and withdraw from sale consumer goods that do not comply with applicable product labelling requirements.

The Commission, in a public advisory issued yesterday, said it observed with serious concern the increasing circulation, distribution and sale of consumer goods that do not comply with prevailing standards and regulations governing product labelling.

The advisory was issued in line with sections 17(p), (w), (x), 114, 116, 123 and 125 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA), 2018.

According to the FCCPC, market surveillance, routine inspections and quality assurance activities had revealed several products bearing misleading or deceptive information as well as products without production, expiry or best-before dates, batch numbers, manufacturer details, ingredient lists, allergen information, country of origin and other mandatory labelling information.

The Commission said it was empowered by its Act to promote consumer safety by ensuring strict adherence to labelling requirements in line with applicable standards set by competent regulatory authorities, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

It warned that deceptive, incomplete or misleading product labelling violates consumers’ right to the information required to make informed purchasing decisions and may expose them to significant health, safety and economic risks.

The Commission warned that businesses that continue to distribute or sell non-compliant products risk appropriate regulatory enforcement action.

Considering the advisory, the FCCPC urged consumers to carefully examine product labels before purchase and avoid products with missing, illegible, altered, misrepresented or poor-quality labels as well as those bearing false claims or misleading information.

It also advised consumers to promptly report suspected cases of non-compliance through the Commission’s official complaint channels.

The FCCPC said it would continue to strengthen nationwide market surveillance and enforcement activities in collaboration with relevant regulatory authorities to ensure compliance and enhance consumer protection.