The Ondo State Competition and Consumer Protection Agency (ODCCPA) has warned businesses and service providers across the state against producing, distributing or selling fake, adulterated, expired, substandard, or counterfeit products.

The warning comes amid concerns over reports of business owners using deceptive, unfair, and exploitative practices that can endanger consumers and deprive them of the value of goods and services they have paid for.

In a statement, Chairman of ODCCPA, Oluyemi Fasipe, said: “The Ondo State Government will not tolerate any business practice that deliberately puts the lives, health, safety or hard-earned money of residents at risk.”

He, however, stressed Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa‘s commitment to protecting the health, safety, and economic interests of consumers, noting that the government will not stand by while unscrupulous businesses take advantage of the people of the state.

Fasipe stated that the warning is directed to those producing or selling fake drinks, adulterated consumables, counterfeit products, expired goods, unsafe food or beverages, or any product capable of causing harm to consumers,

He also warned those deliberately manipulating petrol pump prices or dispensing equipment to give consumers less than they paid for, and urged those producing or selling sachet or bottled water without complying with the required safety and quality standards to desist.

“To those illegally producing, packaging, distributing or selling herbal alcoholic drinks and other alcoholic beverages without the required approvals, licences or compliance with applicable safety and regulatory requirements, you are also on notice. Consumers must not be exposed to potentially dangerous products simply because unscrupulous operators seek quick profits.

“If you operate a hotel, lounge, restaurant, supermarket, filling station, distillery, factory, warehouse or any other business and deliberately cheat, deceive or endanger your customers, you will be subject to the full force of the law,” he said.

He added that the agency’s mandate also covers service providers whose activities directly affect consumers, including artisans, technical service providers, electricity distribution companies and telecommunications companies.

The chairman said the agency’s enforcement activities would focus on practices rather than on legitimate businesses, stressing that action would be taken only where violations were established under the law.

He said that businesses found liable could have their premises sealed, while offending products could be removed from circulation, adding that offenders could also face prosecution where criminal liability was established.

Fasipe said the agency would not grant preferential treatment based on a business’s size or influence.