Consumer Council Seals Firm Over Alleged Sale of Expired, Unsafe Products 

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council has sealed the Office of Apple & Pears Ltd over allegations of selling expired and unsafe products to consumers.

The Director-General, FCCPC, Babatunde Irukera confirmed this in a statement personally signed by him.

He said the Commission became aware of representations appearing to show that a consumer purchased Laziz vegetable oil in sachets produced by Apple & Pears Ltd from their retail/storage location in Abuja.

The representation, according to him suggested that the food products were expired, even at the time of purchase.

 
The statement added, “Upon further investigation and reconnaissance, the Commission discovered the company’s primary facility on the Lagos-Ibadan Express Way.  

“Although locked, innocuous and without signage, the Commission also identified the specific location in Abuja where the company had stored its products.

 
“Having sufficient initial evidence to proceed on enforcement, the Commission conducted investigations at both the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, and Abuja locations.

“The Commission discovered unreasonably large and inexplicable inventories of Laziz salad cream, Laziz mayonnaise, Laziz vegetable oil in sachets, and Laziz Thousand Island salad cream.”

 In addition, he said the Commission uncovered what appears to be unapproved and unsafe production, decanting, or repackaging of vegetable oil at the Abuja location.

 
“The location in Abuja is currently under seal by the Commission, and will remain so until the Commission and NAFDAC have confiscated the expired or unwholesome products, and are otherwise satisfied that Apples and Pears can, and will operate safely and legally,” he added.

 
While commending the patriotism of those who brought the information to the Commission’s attention, Irukera encouraged consumers to exercise their prerogatives and discretion to notify the FCCPC of conduct that is considered unsafe, illegal, or unsatisfactory.