By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The manufacturer of Pop Power Energy Drink, Mamuda Beverages Nigeria Limited, has been directed to stop producing the product in its current bottle design.

This directive was given by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, in a trademark infringement case brought before the court by Rite Foods Limited, makers of Fearless Energy Drink.

This ruling on Mamuda’s notice of preliminary objection and Rite Foods’ motion for interlocutory injunction was delivered on Friday, May 22, 2026, in the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/705/2025.

At the proceeding of the day, Mamuda’s objection was refused and dismissed based on abuse of court process, while Rite Foods’ application for injunctive reliefs prohibiting Mamuda from further trademark infringement was granted, as it was held that the company’s present complaint of infringement of its intellectual property was distinct from an earlier suit between the parties, wherein Rite Foods had complained about a different act of infringement.

The court further held that it appears on its face that Mamuda’s newly introduced bottle design, manufactured, still bears a striking resemblance to Rite Foods’ established Fearless Energy Drink product. Therefore, the court granted an order restraining Mamuda from further production of its Pop Power Energy Drink product, pending the final determination of the suit.

Accordingly, the court ordered Mamuda to cease production of the product forthwith, destroy all existing products, and directed the court bailiff, in conjunction with the parties, to undertake an inventory of the products slated for destruction and file the same.

The court further ordered that the injunction shall remain in force until the end of the year or pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Consequently, the court adjourned the suit to Wednesday, September 23, 2026, for the hearing of the substantive suit.

This order follows an earlier suit against Mamuda in January 2025, where Rite Foods sued the company for infringing on the trademark and design of its iconic Fearless Energy Drink through the launch of a lookalike product, Pop Power Energy Drink.

However, Mamuda, in an apparent admittance of guilt, sought a settlement, and terms of settlement were agreed and filed, and the court entered the same as its consent judgment. Some of the terms of settlement included that Mamuda would desist from further violation of Fearless Energy Drink’s trademark and identity pass-off. It also agreed to destroy all infringing products and pledged to change its design and avoid any form of identity imitation.

In an unexpected turn, Mamuda subsequently reintroduced Pop Power into the market, with only cosmetic adjustments to its appearance. Rite Foods maintains that these changes are minor and do little to address the original issues of consumer confusion.

Reports from the market indicate that the new Pop Power continues to be informally referred to as “small Fearless,” reinforcing concerns that the revised product may not only breach the spirit of the earlier agreement but could also undermine consumer clarity and brand differentiation.

While reaffirming its position, Rite Foods stressed its continued commitment to protecting its brand and the principles of innovation and fair competition in Nigeria’s marketplace.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has raised concerns over the circulation of adulterated palm oil in markets across the state, warning residents to be cautious when purchasing the product.

General Manager of LASCOPA, Mr Afolabi Solebo, said complaints from consumers and market surveillance operations revealed that some traders were selling contaminated and artificially enhanced palm oil to unsuspecting buyers.

According to him, the adulterated products may contain harmful substances such as candle wax, chemicals, dyes and other impurities capable of causing serious health complications.

Mr Solebo warned that consumption of such products could lead to food poisoning, stomach disorders, tissue and liver damage, as well as other long-term health risks.

He advised consumers to examine palm oil carefully before purchase by checking for unusual colour, offensive odour, excessive thickness, sediments or any suspicious appearance that may suggest contamination.

The LASCOPA boss also urged residents to patronise only trusted vendors and insist on quality products at all times, according to a statement shared on X (formerly known as Twitter).

While reaffirming the state government’s commitment to consumer protection, Mr Solebo disclosed that the agency had sealed a shop allegedly selling adulterated palm oil at Idutafa Lane, off Oluwa Street near Amodu Tijani Oluwa Mosque in Lagos Island Local Government Area.

He warned traders and distributors involved in the sale of adulterated palm oil to desist immediately or face sanctions in line with consumer protection laws in the state.

The agency further appealed to members of the public to report suspected cases of adulterated food products, deceptive trade practices and other consumer rights violations through its official communication channels for investigation and enforcement action.

LASCOPA added that it would continue market monitoring and consumer sensitisation efforts to ensure residents have access to safe and quality products across the state.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has declared that Bon Bread, which had created a controversy after a review by a consumer over a month ago, is safe to consume.

In a statement signed on Sunday by the Director General of NAFDAC, Mrs Mojisola Adeyeye, it was stated that investigations conducted on the safety of the product confirmed that it was not harmful.

A woman named Ms Love Dooshima had posted a video on social media last month claiming that one of the breads in her possession remained free from mould for some weeks, questioning this abnormally.

In her video, she did not mention the name of the bread, but Bon Bread claimed she liked comments mentioning its name in the post, triggering a lawsuit.

In the statement on Sunday night, NAFDAC said it conducted an inspection of the company’s bakery facility in Abuja and collected bread samples from both the production site and the open market for laboratory analysis.

It was revealed that the bread contained calcium propionate, an approved preservative commonly used in bread production, within the permissible limits specified by the Codex Alimentarius, the internationally recognised food standards framework.

According to the agency, the manufacturer of Bon Bread, Food & Food Integrated Company Limited, is in compliance with regulatory standards.

It was stated that although the complainant did not identify the brand, the manufacturer of Bon Bread responded publicly, stating that the product in question was theirs and that the allegation was misleading.

“Laboratory analysis further confirmed that the bread samples did not contain objectionable substances, including bromate or non-nutritive sweeteners.

“NAFDAC also confirmed that the company has maintained regulatory compliance since commencing operations in 2006 and has successfully undergone several licence renewals without penalties or product recalls,” parts of the statement read.

NAFDAC assured “the public that Food & Food Integrated Company Limited is not in violation of any NAFDAC regulation,” encouraging consumers “to report concerns relating to regulated products through any NAFDAC office nationwide or call the agency’s call centre to enable prompt and evidence-based investigation of complaints.”