NMA Raises Alarm Over Fake Drinks In Ondo
The association’s chairman, Dr Roland Arohunmolase, raised the concern at a news conference in Akure on Monday, urging governments at all levels and relevant regulatory agencies to intensify efforts to identify and prosecute manufacturers and distributors of unsafe beverages.
The warning highlights concerns about consumer protection, public health and the integrity of Nigeria’s beverage market, where counterfeit products can undermine legitimate businesses, expose unsuspecting consumers to dangerous substances and increase the burden on an already pressured healthcare system.
Arohunmolase said the circulation of counterfeit beverages was no longer restricted to informal markets, alleging that the products had infiltrated supermarkets, hotels, bars and other retail outlets.
He described the situation as a potential public health emergency, warning that consumers could face life-threatening consequences from drinking products manufactured under unhygienic conditions or adulterated with hazardous substances.
According to the NMA chairman, medical professionals had observed an alarming rise in cases of liver cirrhosis, kidney failure and acute intoxication among patients whose conditions appeared unusual. However, the association’s claims about these cases and their possible connection to contaminated beverages would require further epidemiological investigation and laboratory evidence to establish the extent of the problem.
Arohunmolase attributed the potential risks to the alleged use of industrial chemicals, methanol and contaminated water in the production of adulterated drinks.
Methanol exposure can cause severe poisoning, including damage to the optic nerve, blindness, neurological complications and death. Depending on the substance involved, contaminated beverages may also cause serious organ damage and other acute medical emergencies.
The warning underscores the importance of effective product testing, surveillance and enforcement, particularly where counterfeit drinks are packaged to resemble established brands and sold through conventional retail outlets.
Regulatory Enforcement Under Scrutiny
The NMA called on the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), working with relevant state authorities, to launch an aggressive statewide crackdown on producers and distributors of counterfeit beverages.
It also urged authorities to conduct unannounced inspections of markets, supermarkets, hotels, bars and shops suspected of selling unsafe products.
The association recommended the seizure and destruction of beverages that fail to meet established safety and quality standards, alongside the prosecution of manufacturers, distributors and retailers found culpable.
Such measures could help protect consumers and restore confidence in the beverage market, but their effectiveness would depend on sustained enforcement, reliable laboratory testing and cooperation among regulatory agencies.
Identifying counterfeit products can be difficult because their packaging, labels and seals may closely resemble those of genuine brands. Some products may also pass through several intermediaries before reaching retailers, making it harder to trace their origin and determine who is responsible for their distribution.
The NMA’s call therefore places attention on the entire supply chain, from manufacturing and packaging to transportation, wholesale distribution and final retail sales.
Effective enforcement would require regulators to establish clear evidence of violations, trace affected products to their sources and ensure that sanctions are applied in accordance with the law.
Public communication would also be important. Consumers and retailers need accessible channels for reporting suspicious products, while authorities must provide timely information about verified recalls, seizures and safety alerts.
Counterfeiting Threatens Legitimate Businesses
Beyond the immediate health risks, the circulation of fake beverages could have economic consequences for Nigeria’s manufacturing, hospitality and retail sectors.
Legitimate beverage manufacturers invest in production facilities, quality control, packaging, distribution and regulatory compliance. Counterfeit products can undermine these investments by exploiting established brand names and competing against genuine goods without meeting the same safety and production standards.
When consumers lose confidence in a brand because of counterfeit products, legitimate manufacturers may suffer reputational damage, reduced sales and additional expenses associated with investigations, product authentication and consumer education.
Hotels, bars, restaurants and supermarkets also face potential financial and legal risks if unsafe beverages enter their inventories. Businesses that fail to exercise appropriate checks may lose customers and damage their reputations, particularly when consumers cannot easily distinguish genuine products from imitations.
The problem could also affect employment and investment if persistent counterfeiting weakens confidence in the market or increases the cost of protecting brands and distribution networks.
However, the scale of these economic effects in Ondo State has not been established by figures provided in the NMA’s statement. Assessing the financial impact would require information on confirmed counterfeit products, affected businesses, enforcement operations and consumer losses.
For regulators, the challenge is to protect consumers without imposing unnecessary disruption on legitimate traders. Targeted inspections, product testing and evidence-based investigations could help distinguish culpable operators from businesses that may have unknowingly purchased counterfeit stock.
Technology Proposed To Verify Products
Arohunmolase urged beverage manufacturers to strengthen safeguards against counterfeiting through improved authentication and monitoring systems.
He recommended tamper-proof holographic seals, unique QR codes and alphanumeric tracking systems that would allow consumers to verify whether a product is genuine.
These measures could make it more difficult for counterfeiters to imitate legitimate packaging and could help consumers identify suspicious products before consumption. QR-based verification systems, for example, could direct buyers to official product information, while tracking codes could help manufacturers and regulators follow products through authorised distribution channels.
Nevertheless, authentication technology would need to be supported by effective implementation. A copied QR code or imitation seal could create a false sense of security if consumers cannot confirm that the verification system is genuine.
The association also called for improved supply-chain monitoring to identify the diversion of genuine products into unauthorised distribution channels.
Manufacturers, distributors and retailers would need to work together to strengthen inventory records, monitor suspicious transactions and establish procedures for reporting suspected counterfeits.
Consumers Urged To Exercise Caution
The NMA advised residents to be cautious when purchasing beverages sold at prices significantly below prevailing market rates. It also urged consumers to inspect product packaging and seals before buying drinks.
Consumers were advised to avoid products with broken or poorly applied seals and report suspicious beverages and outlets to the appropriate authorities for investigation.
While these precautions may help reduce exposure, packaging alone cannot reliably establish whether a beverage is safe. Consumers should avoid drinking products suspected of being counterfeit or tampered with, even when their appearance seems normal.
Anyone who suspects methanol poisoning or develops serious symptoms after consuming a questionable beverage should seek emergency medical attention immediately rather than attempting home treatment.
Arohunmolase reaffirmed the association’s commitment to protecting public health, calling on governments, manufacturers, retailers and consumers to treat the threat seriously.
The challenge for authorities will be to translate the warning into measurable action through credible investigations, transparent enforcement and stronger product surveillance. Protecting consumers from counterfeit beverages is not only a healthcare responsibility but also a matter of market integrity, business confidence and public welfare.
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