Nollywood actress Ruth Kadiri has expressed concern about the rampant distribution of fake and harmful products in the country, urging the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to be more vigilant in its operations.
In a video posted on her Instagram account, the actress shared her concerns about the safety of the products Nigerians consume daily.
Many people buy food, medicines and other products, believing they are safe and of good quality, only to find some products are badly made, contaminated or fake, Kadiri said.
She said, “We purchase different products every day assuming that they are safe, but unfortunately, there are some poor-quality, contaminated, harmful, and most of them are fake, which is a threat to human life.”
The actress also highlighted the potential health risks of fake products, especially fake medicines. She asked what is done with sick people who rely on pharmacies for treatment but might end up consuming unsafe drugs.
Ruth Kadiri also expressed concern about the children who were reportedly dying from kidney failure due to the use of harmful products.
She also had an anecdote about some garlic she bought. The actress said that after blending, the garlic changed colour, and she started questioning the quality of some food products available to the consumers.
Kadiri’s issue is not consumer indecision; it’s a problem with their decision. She said there is a problem of fake products being made and sold, which she stated has now become a wider public health issue and needs to be taken up by all.
She said it is not a buying issue; it’s a we issue, and the Nigerian public must speak out against the production or sale of any suspicious product in their communities.
The comments come as the nation renews its fight against counterfeit and substandard products. In recent months, NAFDAC has issued several alerts to consumers over suspected fake products, and urged Nigerians to complain if they feel any product is unsafe.
The actress complained to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration, requesting them to do more and come up with permanent solutions to the issue.
The public concern over the safety of products they are using and taking on a daily basis has been growing, with Kadiri’s warning pointing to the need for better monitoring and enforcement to ensure the safety of consumers.
Watch Ruth Kadiri’s video below.
