Residents demand probe over expired products in Port Harcourt supermarkets

Some concerned citizens in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, have urged the Federal Competition Consumers and Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate supermarkets and shops allegedly selling expired products, posing health risks to consumers.

The residents shared personal experiences of unknowingly purchasing expired goods, accusing some supermarkets of intentionally selling outdated products to avoid losses.

They expressed concern on the health risks associated with consuming such products, just as they accused some supermarkets of deliberately selling expired products.

One of them, Gloria Imeh, said: “I went to a supermarket to buy something. I did not check the product for the expiry date. I got home and started using it, then I noticed it had expired. I did not return it but I learned my lesson.”

She added: “Some business persons leave expired products in the shops intentionally because they do not want to lose the money used in purchasing them. I urge FCCPC to go into the market and check the goods being sold. This will help.”

Another resident, Kpene Barisi, complained that before the recent discovery, many people bought goods without checking the expiry dates.

“Some will eat the products and it will cause damage to their bodies. The government should do something about it. I feel bad when I buy expired goods, especially when I do not know.”

Reacting to the complaints, FCCPC assured that appropriate actions would be meted to offenders with fines ranging from N10 million to N100 million, as well as prosecution of service providers and company directors.

The Assistant Director for Consumers and Business Education for the FCCPC, South-South zone, Emeka Anyanwu, assured that the commission would take action against those selling any expired goods.

He said: “It is laxity on the part of service providers to allow any expired product to be on the shelf. FCCPC frowns at such. If its quality assurance department or surveillance and investigation unit goes out and finds such, it is instantly confiscated.”