Brands/Products
FCCPC Raises Alarm Over Low-Quality Brazilian Sugar in Nigerian Markets
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has raised alarm about low-quality sugar from Brazil in the Nigerian markets.
In a statement signed by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Ondaje Ijagwu, the consumer protection agency said it uncovered the availability of substandard and unregistered sugar products in Nigerian markets, particularly smuggled brands from Brazil, including Grupo Moreno, Terous, USI S. Joao, Alvean and Arapora Bionergia.
The products failed to meet mandatory Vitamin A fortification requirements, posing serious health risks to consumers, undermining the integrity of the local sugar industry, and contributing to price manipulation that harms the market.
Acting on a tip-off, FCCPC operatives conducted discreet investigations across the country, particularly in the South-West and the North-East.
The investigations revealed that many of the identified sugar products lacked normal labelling, including production and expiry dates, batch numbers, and the mandatory National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration.
“Even more concerning, most of the products were not fortified with Vitamin A, a critical nutrient essential for good vision, immune health, and overall well-being.
“The absence of this fortification exposes Nigerian consumers to serious health risks, including blindness and increased susceptibility to infections, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women,” the statement added.
The FCCPC also lamented concerns about the economic impact of these products, noting that the influx of smuggled sugar undermines fair competition, placing undue pressure on compliant local producers who adhere to regulatory standards.
The body warned that importers of these substandard products engage in price manipulation to the detriment of genuine producers and consumers while pretending that the products are genuine.
“This jeopardises the sustainability of the Nigerian sugar industry and also erodes consumer trust in the market,” the statement added.
The FCCPC also warned that smuggling, facilitated through porous borders, particularly from neighbouring countries such as Cameroun and the Benin Republic, further complicates enforcement efforts and hampers traceability.
FCCPC also reassured the general public that it is taking decisive steps to address this issue consistent with the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
“The Commission charged Nigerian consumers to verify the authenticity of sugar products by ascertaining they carry proper labelling, including NAFDAC registration and evidence of Vitamin A fortification.
“The FCCPC is intensifying enforcement and surveillance in collaboration with NAFDAC, the Nigeria Customs Service, and other relevant agencies. These efforts include enhanced surveillance and follow-up market inspections to disrupt the supply chain of smuggled sugar products.
“The FCCPC is also engaging with industry stakeholders to promote compliance with quality standards, protect local producers, and foster fair competition within the sugar market,” it added.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Nigerian shoppers now have more payment options on the popular e-commerce platform, Jumia, with the integration of PalmPay after a strategic partnership sealed by both organisations.
It was gathered that this collaboration underscores both parties’ commitment to developing the digital payment ecosystem in Nigeria and growing the use of the cashless economy.
PalmPay is a leading Africa-focused fintech operating Nigeria’s most used mobile wallet and its addition to the Jumia payment gateway will allow shoppers to pay for their purchases with the option to check out with their PalmPay wallet, ensuring a seamless user experience and transaction reliability through the direct integration.
This alliance marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration between two industry giants, aiming to drive innovation, increase convenience for consumers, and foster the adoption of digital payments across Africa.
To celebrate the launch of the partnership, PalmPay and Jumia are launching a special Christmas campaign, running from December 11 to 30.
During this period, customers who make purchases on Jumia using the PalmPay payment method will stand a chance to win exciting cash rewards.
“We are proud to partner with Jumia as we bring together the best of fintech and e-commerce to redefine the online shopping experience.
“This strategic alliance aligns perfectly with our shared commitment to delivering a superior user experience and exceptional value to our customers,” the Chief Marketing Officer of PalmPay, Ms Sofia Zab, said.
“At Jumia, we are dedicated to creating value for our customers by ensuring a convenient, reliable, and secure shopping experience.
“This partnership with PalmPay strengthens our commitment to enhancing the digital payments within our platform.
“By integrating PalmPay, we are providing more options for customers to access affordable and quality goods with the convenience of cashless transactions,” the chief executive of Jumia Nigeria, Mr Sunil Natraj, stated.
By Dipo Olowookere
High-quality pasta made from high-quality wheat, Mama’s Pride Macaroni, has been introduced into the Nigerian market by Crown Flour Mill Limited.
The product was launched at an event in Lagos on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, almost a year after the wheat milling and pasta business of Olam Agri in Nigeria unveiled Mama’s Pride Spaghetti.
The brand ambassador for Mama’s Pride Macaroni is Bimbo Ademoye, an actress, who is expected to use her influence in the Nigerian showbiz industry to drive sales.
Crown Flour Mill disclosed that it manufactured this new brand because of its continued commitment to delivering affordable, tasty, and nutritious food options.
It offers a non-sticky experience for lovers of pasta. It can be enjoyed plain with sauce, jollof, fried, or paired with vegetables.
“I am proud to identify with the business and Mama’s Pride Pasta. We share a common trait, a focus on enriching people’s experience and spreading joy across homes. I can assure consumers that this is the best pasta product in the market in terms of taste and preparation,” the brand ambassador stated.
“We put in so much effort into developing the Mama’s Pride Macaroni brand to build on the success of the spaghetti variance introduced about a year ago.
“This brand continues to garner rave reviews from trade partners and consumers. The Mama’s Pride Macaroni certainly will redefine its segment,” the Managing Director for Wheat Milling Business at Olam Agri in Nigeria, Nitin Mehta, stated.
Also, the B2C Business Head for Grains and Animal Feed at Olam Agri in Nigeria, Siddarth Suri, said, “We are delighted to be releasing the Mama’s Pride Macaroni to the market after careful product research, development and production processes.
“The effort put into the manufacturing of this rich product underlines our commitment to providing superior, top-quality and affordable products to feed the teeming local population.”
Further, the General Manager and Head of Marketing for Olam Agri in Nigeria, Bola Adeniji, stated, “Consumer responses after various product testing engagements show that the Mama’s Pride Macaroni is unrivalled in its segment. This gave us the confidence to go ahead and launch the product on the market.
“Considering pasta meals have become popular among households, our brand is positioned to provide culinary delight across dining. It is versatile and combines perfectly with a variety of sauces and toppings.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
An innovative product designed to help consumers conveniently have their parcels or purchased items picked up or delivered seamlessly has been introduced by Uber.
This product Uber package product known as Courier, allows consumers to book a delivery person to collect their prepaid items from stores, whether purchased in-store or online.
To use the service, consumers simply need to prepare the item for pickup, select “Courier” on the Uber app, choose the delivery type (send or receive), input the pickup and delivery addresses, and review the terms and conditions. Upon confirmation of the request, the consumer can monitor the delivery progress in real time via the app.
With store pickups, one can upload a picture of his or her receipt and provide specific instructions for the driver regarding where and how to pick up the items. Additionally, the driver can interact with the store on the customer’s behalf.
Safety remains a core principle that Uber embeds into all products and services. With Store Pickups, users can take advantage of Live Tracking, which allows them to follow the pickup and delivery of their items, and PIN Verification, which provides a unique PIN that the delivery person can use to verify that the correct item has been collected or delivered.
Commenting on this innovation, the Country Manager for Uber in Nigeria, Tope Akinwumi, said, “We aim to stay close to the evolving needs of our consumer base and the introduction of Store Pickups with Courier demonstrates this understanding.
“With Courier, one can send or receive items and also have purchased items picked up in-store, providing convenience for consumers and allowing them to spend more time with loved ones this festive season.”
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