Reps Demand Tougher Crackdown on Fake Food, Drinks, Advance Nutrition Bill

The House of Representatives has called for tougher action against manufacturers and distributors of fake food, adulterated drinks and other unsafe consumer products, as lawmakers push for a new law to regulate nutrition practice in Nigeria.

The lawmakers made the moves on Tuesday during plenary and a public hearing on a bill to establish the Nutritionists Registration Council of Nigeria.

The House adopted a motion urging the Federal Government to strengthen enforcement against counterfeit food and beverages. It also called for better coordination among agencies responsible for food safety and consumer protection.

Abubakar Yalleman, who represents Madori/Kaugama Federal Constituency of Jigawa State, sponsored the motion. He warned that fake and substandard products pose serious threats to public health.

Yalleman said access to safe, quality food remained essential to healthy living, productivity and economic growth. He explained that proper food processing, hygiene and compliance with safety standards could prevent illnesses linked to harmful bacteria, chemical residues and contaminated ingredients.

The lawmaker cited recent enforcement operations to illustrate the scale of the problem. These included the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control’s (NAFDAC) operation against alcohol counterfeiting syndicates at Zamfara Plaza on Lagos Island on April 22, 2026.

He also referenced a September 22 raid by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on an illegal fruit juice factory in Badagry, Lagos State.

According to him, some operators counterfeit established brands, manipulate product labels and expiry dates, use contaminated ingredients and refill containers illegally.

Such practices, he warned, could expose consumers to poisoning, cancer and damage to vital organs, including the liver, kidneys, lungs and heart.

“The increasing circulation of fake and substandard food and drinks is a very disturbing development which calls for more legislative and executive actions,” Yalleman said.

He identified NAFDAC, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) as key agencies in the campaign against unsafe products.

Yalleman said misleading information about ingredients, manufacturers and expiry dates further complicated efforts to protect consumers. He called for stronger surveillance and more effective enforcement.

The House consequently urged NAFDAC, SON and FCCPC to collaborate with the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service, state governments and other relevant bodies.

The agencies are expected to intensify nationwide inspections, product sampling, laboratory testing and prosecution of offenders.

The House also mandated its relevant committees, including those on Health, Industry, Customs, Standards and Consumer Protection, to investigate the scale of the problem and assess existing enforcement measures.

The committees must submit their findings within four weeks to guide further legislative action against fake food, drinks and drugs.

Later, the House turned to efforts to regulate nutrition practice, as Speaker Abbas Tajudeen opened a public hearing on the proposed Nutritionists Registration Council of Nigeria.

The bill seeks to establish a regulatory framework for nutrition professionals, improve professional standards and strengthen the quality of nutrition services across the country.

Represented by Deputy Majority Leader Abdullahi Ali Halims, Abbas said the House established a Standing Committee on Nutrition and Food Security because nutrition affects education, healthcare costs and national productivity.

He urged participants to provide evidence-based recommendations that would help lawmakers develop an effective and practical law.

“I urge all stakeholders to approach this hearing with candour, technical rigour and a shared commitment to national interest,” the Speaker said.

Abbas cautioned lawmakers and stakeholders against judging the bill solely by its proposal to establish a new regulatory body.

“Ultimately, the measure of this bill will not be the creation of another institution but whether it strengthens professional competence, protects Nigerians from harmful or misleading advice and improves the quality of nutrition services available to the public,” he said.

He added that effective regulation could strengthen preventive healthcare, reduce avoidable health burdens and support a healthier, more productive population.

The Speaker commended the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, chaired by Chike Okafor, and the Nutrition Society of Nigeria for their contributions to the proposed legislation.

Earlier, Okafor said the hearing would give citizens, experts and other stakeholders an opportunity to present their views before the committee makes its recommendation.

He assured participants that the committee had not reached a predetermined position and would consider arguments both for and against the bill.

“As a committee, we have no bias or already decided opinion, but we will collate all opinions canvassed by you today, either for or against, before making our recommendation to the general House in plenary for consideration,” Okafor said.

He urged participants to contribute meaningfully to the process, describing the hearing as an opportunity to influence national development through legislation.

Okafor also credited Abbas with supporting the establishment of the nutrition and food security committee, describing it as an important step towards giving nutrition policy greater attention in the National Assembly.

The committee will consider submissions from the hearing before presenting its recommendations to the House for further legislative consideration.