No fewer than 200 supermarkets and stores in Lagos have come under LASCOPA’s enforcement sweep, resulting in the seizure of expired, substandard, and hazardous products deemed unsafe for public consumption.
The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA said the operation, carried out as part of activities marking this year’s World Health Day, underscores its renewed resolve to safeguard the health and well-being of residents through sustained market surveillance and strict enforcement measures.
Speaking on the exercise, the agency’s General Manager, Afolabi Solebo, disclosed that a significant volume of unsafe products was discovered and removed from circulation during the inspections, while offending businesses were sanctioned in line with extant consumer protection laws.
He warned that the presence of expired and poorly handled products in the market poses serious health risks to consumers, stressing that the agency would not relent in its mandate to ensure compliance.
“These products are not just substandard; they are dangerous to public health. We will continue to intensify our enforcement operations to ensure that Lagos markets are free from items that can harm consumers,” Solebo said.
The General Manager further explained that the agency’s Scientific Investigative Research and Monitoring and Enforcement departments are working collaboratively to detect and eliminate unsafe products from the marketplace.
He revealed that about 80 per cent of hazardous products in circulation are linked to poor handling and improper storage, calling on manufacturers and distributors to strengthen public awareness on safe storage practices.
“A large proportion of the risks we see today stem from how products are stored and handled. Stakeholders across the value chain must take responsibility for maintaining quality and safety standards,” he added.
Solebo also advised consumers to be vigilant by checking product labels, expiry dates, and overall quality before making purchases, urging them to promptly report cases of consumer rights violations to the agency.
He cautioned against prolonged exposure of plastic-bottled liquids to heat and sunlight, noting that such conditions could cause chemical substances to leach into the contents, thereby compromising product safety.
Residents were equally advised to avoid reusing single-use plastic bottles, particularly for storing drinking water, and to patronise only products that are properly stored by vendors and manufacturers.
“Health is not merely the absence of illness, but a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. The choices we make daily as consumers have a direct impact on our overall health,” Solebo stated.
He assured that LASCOPA would sustain its enforcement drive to rid the market of unsafe products and uphold consumer rights across Lagos State.
