Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has sealed Blessed Happy Homes Superstore, a supermarket in Festac area for displaying expired products on its shelves.
Gatekeepers News reports that the action was carried out as part of the government’s ongoing commitment to ensuring consumer safety and well-being.
Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab announced this in a post shared on X on Wednesday.
Wahab noted that operatives of LASCOPA had identified several expired products on the shelves, which included items that could pose serious health risks to consumers.
He wrote, “The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (@lasgcopa) seals Blessed Happy Homes Superstore at 6th Avenue, 13th Road, Festac Town, for selling expired products, violating health and safety regulations, putting customers at risk, and engaging in practices that compromise consumer well-being.”
The commissioner also posted a video showing LASCOPA officials using red spray paint to mark the supermarket, signaling its immediate closure.
General Manager of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo provided a detailed account of the inspection conducted by the agency on November 22, 2024.
Solebo disclosed that during the inspection, LASCOPA’s monitoring and enforcement department discovered a significant number of expired products on the store’s shelves, including baby food items that had expired as far back as 2023. This alarming discovery prompted the agency to take swift action to ensure public safety and prevent further harm.
Solebo noted that the supermarket’s management had been invited to LASCOPA’s office to clarify the situation, but they failed to respond to the agency’s request. As a result, LASCOPA had no choice but to seek a court order to seal the store.
He reiterated that the owner of the supermarket would face legal prosecution for violating consumer protection laws. This action highlights Lagos State Government’s commitment to upholding consumer rights and maintaining high standards in businesses operating within the state.
The GM further advised Lagos residents to remain vigilant when shopping, stressing the importance of checking expiry dates and product information before making purchases.
He assured the public that LASCOPA’s enforcement efforts would continue and that more awareness campaigns would be rolled out in the coming months. The agency’s focus on consumer education and protection will extend beyond November 2024, to reduce the prevalence of unsafe products in the market.
https://x.com/tokunbo_wahab/status/1864245706543739344
