The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to curb the production, distribution and sale of fake, adulterated and substandard food and beverages across Nigeria, warning that the practice poses significant risks to public health.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Abubakar Yalleman, representing Madori/Kaugama Federal Constituency of Jigawa State, during plenary on Tuesday.

Moving the motion, Yalleman said access to safe and quality food was essential to the health, well-being and productivity of Nigerians. He explained that proper processing methods, hygiene practices and compliance with established safety standards were necessary to prevent foodborne illnesses.

The lawmaker expressed concern over the growing circulation of counterfeit alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, bottled water and other food products, citing recent enforcement operations against illegal manufacturing activities.

He referenced the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control’s (NAFDAC) dismantling of an illegal alcohol counterfeiting syndicate at Zamfara Plaza on Lagos Island on April 22, 2026. He also cited the discovery of an illegal, unregistered fruit juice factory in Badagry, Lagos State, by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on September 22, 2026.

According to Yalleman, some manufacturers and distributors allegedly counterfeit established brands, falsify labels and expiry dates, use contaminated raw materials and illegally refill containers, exposing consumers to potentially dangerous products.

He warned that such practices could cause food poisoning and other serious health complications, including damage to vital organs.

Yalleman acknowledged the statutory responsibilities of NAFDAC, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) in regulating products and protecting consumers.

However, he said the continued circulation of products bearing misleading information about their ingredients, manufacturers, batch numbers and expiry dates demonstrated the need for stronger enforcement and closer coordination among regulatory bodies.

The lawmaker called for improved market surveillance, more frequent inspections, product sampling, laboratory testing and timely prosecution of offenders throughout the food and beverage supply chain.

He also highlighted the particular vulnerability of children, older people and other at-risk groups to the dangers posed by unsafe food and drinks.

Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged the Federal Government to treat the production and circulation of counterfeit and substandard food products as an urgent national concern requiring sustained regulatory attention.

It called on NAFDAC, SON and FCCPC to work with the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service, state governments and other relevant agencies to strengthen nationwide monitoring and enforcement against manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers involved in the sale of unsafe products.

The House further directed its relevant committees, particularly those responsible for health, industry, customs, standards and consumer protection, to engage the agencies and other stakeholders to assess the scale of the problem and the effectiveness of existing enforcement measures.

The committees were given four weeks to submit their findings to the House for further legislative action aimed at curbing the circulation of fake and adulterated food, beverages and drugs.

The lawmakers said stronger oversight, coordinated enforcement and public awareness were necessary to protect consumers and improve confidence in products sold in Nigerian markets.