Chiffy supermarket, located in the Government Reservation Area in Ikeja areas of Lagos State, has been shut down by the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) for allegedly selling expired household products. The store was found to be selling expired toothpaste and other products, which posed a health risk to unsuspecting members of the public.
Afolabi Solebo, the General Manager of LASCOPA, stated that the closure was necessary to protect the lives of the public, who might consume the expired products. Solebo responded to complaints made by customers on a consumer’s Facebook post, alerting the agency and the public about the sales of the expired products at Chiffy Supermarket in GRA Ikeja.
On arrival at the supermarket, Solebo discovered that the toothpaste and other products found in the store had no price tags and were all expired. The dates found on them were discovered to have expired in August 2022, November 2022, and January 2023, yet they were still being sold to unsuspecting members of the public.
Solebo stated that such an act would not be tolerated in Lagos State and that the matter is already before a court of competent jurisdiction for prosecution. He reiterated LASCOPA’s mandate of protecting the interest of consumers against expired, hazardous, and substandard products. The supermarket will remain shut and placed under surveillance, while samples of the products confiscated will be destroyed by the relevant government agency.
The LASCOPA boss lamented unscrupulous and unfair trade practices in the state, stating that it is their responsibility to ensure the safety of consumers from the dangers of expired products, which may lead to death without people knowing the cause. It is essential to note that the LASCOPA has the legal backing to prosecute any individual or organization found selling expired or substandard products.
It is imperative to ensure that products sold to the public are safe and meet the necessary standards. Consumers are advised to be vigilant when purchasing goods to avoid buying expired or substandard products. The LASCOPA urged the public to report any act of unfair trade practices to the agency for prompt action
