Lagos State Seals FESTAC Superstore for Selling Expired Products and Violating Safety Regulations

The Lagos State Government has sealed Blessed Happy Homes Superstore, located at 6th Avenue, 13th Road, FESTAC Town, for selling expired Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) and breaching health and safety standards.

The enforcement action, carried out by the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA), underscores the government’s commitment to safeguarding consumer health and well-being.

This development was announced by the Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, through a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday. Wahab revealed that during an inspection, LASCOPA officials discovered several expired products on the store’s shelves, including items that posed significant health risks to consumers.

“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, and endangering customer safety,” Wahab stated.

Details of the Inspection and Closure

A video shared alongside the post showed LASCOPA officials marking the store with red spray paint to signal its immediate closure. Afolabi Solebo, the General Manager of LASCOPA, provided further details of the inspection, which was conducted on November 22, 2024.

Solebo disclosed that the monitoring and enforcement team found numerous expired items on the shelves, including baby food that had expired in 2023. Following the discovery, LASCOPA invited the store’s management for a meeting, but they failed to respond. Consequently, the agency secured a court order to seal the premises.

The supermarket’s owner will face legal prosecution for violating consumer protection laws, according to Solebo. He emphasized that this action reflects the government’s determination to uphold consumer rights and enforce stringent business standards across Lagos State.

Public Awareness and Enforcement Efforts

Solebo urged Lagos residents to exercise caution while shopping by checking expiry dates and product details. He reassured the public that LASCOPA would intensify its enforcement operations and consumer awareness campaigns to minimize the availability of unsafe products in the market.

The agency plans to sustain these efforts beyond November 2024, ensuring that businesses comply with health and safety regulations while promoting informed consumer choices.