Concerns are mounting across Nigeria over the growing practice of altering expiry dates on food products and medications, with experts warning that the trend poses serious health risks to consumers.
Reports indicate that counterfeiters are increasingly repackaging expired goods, changing labels and pushing them back into markets for unsuspecting buyers. The development has intensified fears over the circulation of fake drugs, unsafe foods and substandard consumables nationwide.
Health professionals say the problem has worsened amid economic hardship, as many Nigerians now turn to cheaper products to cope with rising living costs. According to experts, fake or expired medications can lead to treatment failure, organ damage, adverse drug reactions and even death.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has carried out several enforcement operations in recent months, uncovering warehouses and markets where expired products were allegedly revalidated and resold.
One major operation reportedly uncovered fake beverages, carbonated drinks, wines, vegetable oils, noodles, powdered milk and yoghurt with altered expiry dates valued at billions of naira.
Medical experts warned that counterfeit drugs may contain inadequate active ingredients or dangerous substances capable of worsening illnesses rather than treating them. They also raised concerns about unwholesome foods contaminated by bacteria, viruses or harmful chemicals.
Public anxiety over the issue has also spread online, with many Nigerians expressing fears about buying packaged foods, drinks and medications without carefully checking manufacturing and expiry information.
Consumer advocates are urging Nigerians to buy products only from trusted pharmacies, supermarkets and registered outlets, while carefully inspecting packaging seals, labels and registration numbers before purchase.
Experts further called for stronger regulation, improved border monitoring and stiffer punishment for those involved in the production and distribution of fake and expired goods.
