The Lagos State Government has declared zero tolerance for undisclosed changes to consumer products, directing manufacturers, importers, distributors and businesses operating in the state to clearly disclose any material alterations to their products or face regulatory sanctions.
The directive was issued by the General Manager/CEO of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA), Afolabi Solebo, Esq., as part of efforts to strengthen consumer protection, promote transparency and curb deceptive trade practices across Lagos.
Solebo said businesses must disclose any changes affecting a product’s brand, packaging, labelling, formulation, ingredients, composition, weight, size, quality or other specifications before introducing the modified product to the market.
He stressed that consumers have a non-negotiable right to accurate, clear and sufficient product information, warning that LASCOPA would intensify market surveillance and enforcement and apply the full force of the law against businesses that fail to comply.
LASCOPA also urged manufacturers and businesses to adopt a uniform method for displaying essential information, including Date of Production (DP), Best Before (BB), Expiry Date (ED), Batch Number (BN) and measurements such as grams (g), kilograms (kg), millilitres (ml) and litres (L). According to the agency, standardising the placement of such information will make it easier for consumers to find and verify product details before purchasing.
The agency warned that failure to comply with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 and the Lagos State Consumer Protection Law 2025 (as amended) constitutes a regulatory breach and could attract administrative penalties and other sanctions prescribed by law.
Solebo reiterated that truthful product information is a legal obligation, not a matter of business discretion, noting that labels, packaging, advertisements and other consumer-facing descriptions must accurately represent products being sold.
Consumers were also urged to carefully examine product labels, compare product information before making purchases and report suspected cases of misleading labelling or undisclosed product modifications through LASCOPA’s complaint channels, including Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter) and email at lasgcopa@gmail.com.
LASCOPA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting consumer rights and maintaining confidence in Lagos’ marketplace, stressing that transparency, accountability and fair trading remain essential requirements for all businesses operating in the state.