Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. Photo: FCCPC

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has directed manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers to withdraw consumer goods with incomplete, misleading or deceptive labels from the market.

The commission gave the directive in a public advisory signed by its management and posted on its X handle on Tuesday.

The FCCPC said it had observed an increasing circulation, distribution and sale of consumer goods that did not comply with prevailing standards and regulations governing product labelling.

It said, “Market surveillance, routine inspections, and quality assurance activities have revealed products bearing misleading or deceptive information, as well as products without production dates, expiry or best-before dates, batch numbers, manufacturer details, ingredient lists, allergen information, country of origin, and other mandatory labelling information.”

The commission said it was empowered under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018, to promote consumer safety by ensuring compliance with labelling requirements and applicable standards set by regulatory authorities, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

It warned that deceptive, incomplete or misleading product labelling violated consumers’ right to information needed to make informed purchasing decisions.

The commission added that such products could expose consumers to health, safety and economic risks.

“Accordingly, the Commission directs all manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers to immediately review their inventories and withdraw from sale any consumer goods that do not comply with applicable labelling requirements,” the statement said.

It added, “Businesses that continue to distribute or sell non-compliant products risk appropriate regulatory enforcement action.

“In light of the foregoing, consumers are advised to carefully examine product labels before purchase and avoid products with missing, illegible, altered, misrepresented, or poor-quality labels, as well as those bearing false claims or misleading information.

“Suspected cases of non-compliance should be reported promptly through the Commission’s official complaint channels.”

The commission said it would continue to strengthen nationwide market surveillance and enforcement activities in collaboration with relevant regulatory authorities to ensure compliance and enhance consumer protection.