The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has launched an investigation into a viral bread review that has sparked concerns over product quality and consumer rights.
FCCPC Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, disclosed this during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday.
“People could exercise their right to that extent, but in the particular case on the bread issue, let me tell you, those kinds of things raised certain red flags with us, and as soon as we got wind of it, our surveillance and investigation department and even our legal services were up to ensure that certain things happened,” he said.
The development follows a viral video by a consumer, Love Doshima, who claimed that a loaf of bread she purchased remained fresh for over two months, raising safety concerns.
In the aftermath, the baker reportedly filed a ₦50 million lawsuit against her.
Ijagwu, however, said the FCCPC intervened after reports that the consumer was harassed and taken into police custody.
“We facilitated with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to take on board the sample that was referenced by that particular consumer for further analysis,” he said.
“We also ensured that when we heard the person who was actually the consumer in question was being harassed and taken to the police, we ensured that the consumer got released.”
He emphasised that the commission operates strictly within the provisions of the law, noting that consumers are entitled to protection and fair hearing.
“The law ensures that consumers are provided with information and also guarantees them the right to be heard; if a consumer suffers anything, definitely the consumer has a right to make certain representations.
“We would look at those issues within the confines of our law as a right to information and the right to be heard, and that is even a right to redress by implication because the right to be heard is part of a right to redress.”
Ijagwu added that the commission remains actively engaged in the matter.
“We provided assistance from one point to the other, and we are keeping tabs on that matter. Our operatives are very much on it. We are interested in it, and we even want the termination to be made,” he said.