NMA raises alarm over fake drinks, urges crackdown in Ondo
By Boye Oyeyemi
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has warned of growing health risks associated with counterfeit alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in Ondo State, urging authorities to crack down on manufacturers and sellers of the products.
The state NMA Chairman, Dr Roland Bola Arohunmolase, raised the alarm on Monday at a news conference in Akure, alleging that fake drinks had spread beyond informal markets to supermarkets, hotels, bars and other retail outlets.
Arohunmolase described the development as a serious public health concern, warning that unsuspecting consumers could suffer severe poisoning and damage to vital organs from beverages allegedly produced with harmful chemicals, methanol and contaminated water.
He said medical practitioners had observed a worrying pattern of liver cirrhosis, kidney failure and acute intoxication among patients with unusual conditions. He urged relevant authorities to investigate possible links between the cases and the consumption of adulterated drinks.
To address the situation, the NMA chairman called on the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and relevant state agencies to intensify surveillance and conduct unannounced inspections of outlets suspected of selling counterfeit beverages.
He also urged the authorities to confiscate and destroy unsafe products and prosecute manufacturers, distributors and retailers found responsible for producing or selling them. Arohunmolase further called on legitimate beverage companies to strengthen measures against counterfeiting.
As part of preventive efforts, he recommended the use of tamper-proof seals, unique QR codes and tracking systems to help consumers verify the authenticity of beverages. He also urged manufacturers to improve supply-chain monitoring to prevent genuine products from being diverted into unauthorised channels.
Meanwhile, Arohunmolase advised residents to avoid drinks sold at unusually low prices, inspect seals and packaging before purchase, and report suspicious products to the appropriate authorities. He stressed that coordinated action by the government, manufacturers, retailers and consumers was necessary to protect public health.
