LASCOPA introduces toll-free line, urges consumers to report fake, poor services

National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has called for stronger cooperation among African food regulators to address cross-border food safety threats and support safer intra-African trade.

The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, made the call at the Third African Food Regulatory Authorities Forum (AFRAF), held in Cairo, Egypt.

Adeyeye led a five-member Nigerian delegation to the three-day forum, hosted by the National Food Safety Authority of Egypt in partnership with Africa’s Regional Economic Communities, African food competent authorities and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).

The forum, organised by the Global Food Regulatory Science Society (GFoRSS) under the theme, “Advancing Africa’s Integrated Food Regulatory Future,” brought together heads of food regulatory authorities, Regional Economic Communities, Codex contact points, development partners and private sector representatives.

Discussions focused on regional sanitary and phytosanitary coordination, risk-based regulation, food innovation, laboratory capacity, risk analysis and engagement with the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

The meeting was also expected to generate regulator-led recommendations to support the Food Safety Strategy for Africa and the operationalisation of the proposed Africa Food Safety Agency.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Adeyeye said food safety challenges could no longer be effectively addressed within national borders because of interconnected food systems, food fraud, climate-related risks, technological changes and expanding intra-African trade.

She called for science-based, risk-based and transparent regulatory systems backed by increased investment in regulatory capacity, laboratory infrastructure, digital technologies, human resources and surveillance.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has urged residents to “tell it to LASCOPA” by promptly reporting fake, expired, adulterated and counterfeit products, misleading advertisements, poor services and other consumer-related violations.

It asked them to send the reports through the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency’s toll-free consumer helpline, 080 0005 2726, or by email at [email protected] or the Agency’s Social media handles –
Facebook: lascopa, Instagram: lasgcopa, X (Twitter): lasgcopa.

The General Manager/Chief Executive Officer of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo, stated that the toll-free line provides consumers with a direct, accessible channel to report violations, seek guidance and get timely action. He urged residents not to remain silent and to report formally to LASCOPA rather than relying only on social media.

Solebo stressed that while social media raised awareness, complaints must be supported by verifiable evidence: receipts, invoices, photos or videos, product labels, proof of payment and screenshots of transactions, ads or conversations with sellers.

Through the LASCOPA helpline, consumers can report concerns relating to fake and counterfeit products, expired or adulterated goods, defective products, misleading advertisements, unfair business practices, poor services, online shopping disputes and other suspected consumer protection violations.

The General Manager/CEO also advised consumers to verify product details, prices, sellers and terms before paying, especially online. Always check labels: manufacturer info, manufacturing/expiry dates, batch numbers, ingredients and usage instructions.