The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has intensified its clampdown on deceptive market practices, uncovering a growing trend where local rice is being repackaged and sold as imported brands.
This disclosure was made during a surveillance operation in Utako market in Abuja on Tuesday, where FCCPC officials seized large quantities of falsely branded rice.
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According to Boladale Adeyinka, FCCPC’s Director of Surveillance and Investigation, the operation followed credible intelligence that certain market players were repackaging Nigerian-grown rice in sacks bearing the labels of long-banned foreign brands to exploit consumers’ preference for imported products.
“Our intelligence shows that local rice is being packaged in foreign-branded bags, such as ‘Mama Gold,’ which stopped importing into Nigeria as far back as 2015
“What we found is a deliberate and exploitative practice by cartels to deceive buyers into thinking they are purchasing foreign rice,” Adeyinka said.
During the raid, traders were confronted with evidence of rebranded rice stock. While some attempted to justify their actions by claiming the goods were old stock, FCCPC officials dismissed such claims, noting that the brands in question had been out of the market for nearly a decade.
“These practices harm consumers economically. People are paying a premium for what they believe is imported rice, when in fact it’s locally produced. This is fraud,” she stated.
At least 10 shops were raided during the operation and confiscated products are now considered exhibits in an ongoing investigation.
The FCCPC confirmed that the owners of the affected shops would face administrative penalties, fines, and possible prosecution depending on the extent of their involvement.
The Commission also plans to expand the scope of the investigation to include those supplying branded sacks, which are not meant to be sold openly in markets.
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“You are not supposed to be selling branded bags unless you’re authorized by the brand owners. This too is part of the crime,” Adeyinka added
The Commission warned millers and traders to ensure transparency in their supply chain, urging them to source rice from legitimate mills or authorized importers.
Consumers were also advised to be vigilant and question suspiciously packaged products.
As the Easter season drives up demand for rice across households, the FCCPC assured the public that it would continue its market sweeps and surveillance to protect consumer interests and uphold food safety standards.
