This month’s NIFST Lagos chapter meeting held on February 25th, 2024, at NAFDAC Zone, was quite informative.

The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) is a government body in Lagos, Nigeria, tasked with safeguarding consumers’ rights, ensuring fair business practices, and resolving consumer complaints within the state.

The General Manager of LASCOPA, Mr. Afolabi Solebo, talked about food fraud and its prevention. He explained that food fraud is a major concern in our society, where food operators or businesses deceive customers about food quality for economic gain. Examples include selling expired products, relabeling with new dates, adulterating food like milk and honey, and substituting high-value ingredients with cheaper alternatives. Mr. Solebo outlined various types of food fraud such as dilution, substitution, concealment, mislabeling, adulteration, tampering, simulation, counterfeiting, and misrepresentation. For instance, dilution happens when high-quality ingredients are mixed with cheaper alternatives, like watering down orange juice to increase profits. Substitution occurs when expensive ingredients are swapped with cheaper ones, like replacing premium seafood with lower-grade options. Concealment involves hiding low-quality ingredients, such as injecting poultry with antibiotics to mask diseases. Mislabeling happens when products are deliberately labeled incorrectly for financial gain, like passing off horse meat as beef. This deception not only undermines consumer trust but can also lead to health risks like food poisoning. Despite advancements in detection methods, food fraud persists globally, impacting the industry and costing billions of dollars annually.
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He emphasized the importance of transparency, proper planning, and adherence to standards in preventing food fraud.

Additionally, he suggested measures like training and laboratory testing facilities in detecting and preventing food fraud.

In conclusion, he stressed the importance of regulatory efforts, transparency in the supply chain, and strict implementation of laws to combat food fraud effectively.

Elders, and Fellows of The Institute in a Group Photograph with Mr. Solebo. 

The Executives With The Members of NAFDAC Zone.

Members of the NAFDAC Zone.

Dr. Mrs. Margaret Eshiett, Giving a Vote of Thanks.

Cross Section of Members of The High Table.

The LOC Chair,- Mrs. Taiwo Ubany Giving an Update on The Upcoming NIFST Day Celebration.

The Guest Speaker, Mr. Afolabi Solebo Making a Presentation on Food Fraud.

Cross-Section of Members at The Meeting.