Nollywood actress Ruth Kadiri has raised concerns about fake and potentially harmful products in Nigeria after recounting an experience involving blended garlic, prompting renewed calls on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to strengthen consumer protection.
Key Highlights
- Ruth Kadiri warned Nigerians about fake and potentially harmful products.
- She said blended garlic changed colour shortly after she prepared it.
- Kadiri called on NAFDAC to investigate and intensify consumer protection.
- Nigerians on X debated the agency’s role and the wider problem of counterfeit goods.
- Some social media users alleged corruption in the regulatory system; those claims have not been independently verified.
Kadiri said she blended garlic and returned shortly afterwards to find that its colour had changed. She used the experience to draw attention to products consumers may struggle to identify as genuine and warned that unsafe goods could pose risks, particularly to children.
“Dear Nigerians, I’m speaking to you today with a heavy heart and deep concern about the circulation of fake products in our country. Every day, we buy different products believing they are safe, but sadly, some are poorly produced, contaminated, harmful and fake. This is a threat to human life. Imagine little children battling kidney failure,” she said in a video circulating online.
Kadiri called on NAFDAC to investigate and step up efforts to protect consumers. Nigerians reacted on X, with some praising her for raising a safety concern and others accusing government agencies of failing to adequately protect the public.
@Lahikasim wrote, “Shame to NafDac make them employ people to checkmate these things then no go gree.” @itsMiguel04 said, “People are casually poisoning us to make quick money. NAFDAC needs to wake up and start executing these fake manufacturers.”
Another user, @WholeJO, wrote, “Our Agencies doesn’t even function properly anymore.” @NaSoitalkam also expressed concern, saying, “Fake items dey cry for the full country.”
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Nigerians Debate NAFDAC’s Role
The conversation took a political turn, with some users linking the problem of fake products to governance, corruption and economic hardship. @ivoh_jvoh argued that people are doing what they can to survive and alleged that some officials at ports prioritise payments over the quality of imported goods. Those allegations have not been independently established.
Meanwhile, @isaaczeto urged celebrities to speak more openly on national issues, writing, “Anty celeb we need you people to speak truth to power for a better Nigeria. Lack of true leadership is the reasons for all the shenanigans in Nigeria.” Others cautioned against politicising consumer safety or challenged celebrities to be more direct in criticising government policies.
Some users also raised unverified allegations of bribery involving officials and people engaged in unregistered manufacturing. The claims were made in online comments and have not been independently verified.
Fake Products Raise Consumer Safety Concerns
The debate has renewed public attention on counterfeit and substandard food, medicines and other consumer products, and on how difficult they can be to identify when packaging resembles genuine goods. NAFDAC provides an online product verification portal where consumers can check a product’s registration number.
Kadiri’s warning has prompted discussion about manufacturers’ and importers’ responsibilities and whether regulators are doing enough to investigate reports and prevent unsafe goods from reaching consumers. Follow us on X for more updates.
