The Lagos State Government has raised the alarm over the circulation of expired and near-expired products allegedly repackaged with altered production and expiry dates.
The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) said chemicals and devices used to erase and reprint product dates were being promoted online, raising concerns that unsafe products could reach unsuspecting consumers.
LASCOPA General Manager, Afolabi Solebo, disclosed this on Wednesday, warning traders and manufacturers involved in the practice that they would face sanctions under the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency Law, 2025, as amended.
Solebo said enforcement teams had conducted inspections across all Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas in the state, identifying cases involving suspicious date coding, damaged packaging and questionable products.
“Consumer safety is non-negotiable,” he said, stressing that the reintroduction of expired products into the market through falsified dates posed significant public health risks.
He said offenders would face measures including seizure of products, closure of business premises and prosecution in accordance with the law.
The LASCOPA boss urged manufacturers to adopt clear and standardised labelling of batch numbers and expiry dates, while advising consumers to check products for altered or smudged dates, damaged packaging and other irregularities.
He also encouraged residents to patronise trusted vendors, keep purchase receipts and report suspicious products to LASCOPA through its designated channels.
Solebo assured residents that the agency would sustain monitoring and enforcement operations and continue working with market associations, manufacturers and other regulatory bodies to ensure that only safe and properly labelled products are sold across Lagos.