The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has shut down multiple shops after discovering tricky activities involving repackaging of locally produced rice as foreign brand in Utako Market, Abuja.
The enforcement operation which happened on Tuesday, 15th of April was triggered due to the complaint received from brand owners and consumers.
The shops were found repackaging and selling rice under popular brand names, Royal Stallion and Mama Gold which have been discontinued for almost a decade.
The commission seized the fake product and shut down the shops involved in the illegal trade.
The Director of Surveillance and Investigation at FCCPC, Mrs Bolade Adeyinka while speaking to newsman during the operation announced that the action was due to report gotten from brand owners and consumers.
She said, “We received credible information indicating that certain rice brands, including Royal Stallion, are no longer available in the Nigerian market.”
Mrs. Adeyinka also noted that the continuous demand for foreign rice has created an opportunity for dishonest traders to trick buyers by repacking local rice as foreign rice.
She added, “Because of the demand for foreign rice, some market cartels have resorted to rebagging local rice and passing it off as imported. This is a clear case of deception.”
Meanwhile, the commission also reiterated its commitment to protecting consumers, sustaining surveillance and enforcement activities to safeguard consumer rights and uphold market integrity.
