The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ondo Chapter, has expressed concern over the circulation of fake and adulterated alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in the state, warning of serious public health risks.
The state NMA chairman, Dr Roland Arohunmolase, made the remarks at a news conference in Akure on Monday, calling for urgent government intervention to protect residents.
He called on governments at all levels and relevant regulatory agencies to clamp down on producers and distributors of unwholesome beverages circulating across the state.
Arohunmolase said counterfeit beverages were no longer limited to informal markets, alleging that they had also infiltrated supermarkets, hotels, bars and other retail outlets.
He described the situation as a growing public health emergency requiring immediate action to protect residents from potentially life-threatening illnesses linked to contaminated drinks.
According to him, medical professionals had observed an alarming rise in cases of liver cirrhosis, kidney failure and acute intoxication among patients with unusual symptoms.
He said the potential health risks stemmed from adulterated beverages allegedly produced in unhygienic conditions using industrial chemicals, methanol and contaminated water.
The NMA chairman warned that exposure to such substances could cause acute poisoning and irreversible damage to vital organs, and urged authorities to act against offenders.
He called on the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), in collaboration with relevant state authorities, to launch a statewide crackdown on counterfeit beverage producers and distributors.
He urged authorities to conduct unannounced inspections of markets, supermarkets, hotels, bars and shops suspected of selling fake products to ensure compliance with safety standards.
Arohunmolase also called for the seizure and destruction of beverages that failed to meet safety and quality standards, and for the prosecution of manufacturers, distributors and retailers found culpable.
He urged beverage manufacturers to strengthen efforts to protect their brands and consumers from counterfeiting, including through improved product authentication and monitoring systems.
He recommended tamper-proof holographic seals, unique QR codes and alphanumeric tracking systems to help consumers verify products and distinguish genuine beverages from counterfeits.
He also called for better supply-chain monitoring to identify and prevent the diversion of genuine products into unauthorised distribution channels.
The NMA chairman advised consumers to be wary of drinks sold at prices significantly below the prevailing market rate and to inspect product seals and packaging before buying.
He urged residents to avoid beverages with broken or poorly applied seals and to report suspicious products and outlets to the relevant authorities for investigation.
Arohunmolase reaffirmed the association’s commitment to protecting the public and urged governments, manufacturers, retailers and consumers to take the threat of counterfeit beverages seriously.
