The Director General of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) in Imo State, Dr. Obioma Okafor, has warned residents to avoid purchasing and consuming unlabelled and unregistered products in the marketplace, citing serious health and safety risks.
Dr. Okafor issued the warning on Wednesday after inspecting several markets in Owerri, the state capital. She expressed concern over the increasing circulation of goods without proper identification, stressing that such products pose significant dangers to consumers.
She explained that items lacking clear labels, manufacturing details, or regulatory approval cannot be trusted because their origin and quality remain unknown.
“Consumers must be cautious. Any product without proper labelling or registration details should be avoided. Your safety must always come first,” she said.
Dr. Okafor added that properly labelled products provide essential information, including ingredients, usage instructions, and manufacturing and expiry dates, which help consumers make informed decisions.
“Other details to look out for include clear product name and manufacturer details, NAFDAC registration number (where applicable), manufacturing and expiry dates, as well as proper packaging and seal,” she stated.
She also warned that patronising unregistered goods encourages illegal practices and undermines standards in the marketplace. The CPC boss urged traders to comply with regulatory requirements, noting that defaulters would face sanctions.
Dr. Okafor reaffirmed the council’s commitment to protecting consumers and ensuring that only safe, approved products circulate in Imo State.
Her warning comes amid rising concerns over the spread of substandard and unregistered products in markets across Nigeria, particularly in urban centres like Owerri. Regulatory agencies, including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), have repeatedly cautioned against the dangers of fake and improperly labelled goods.
