LASG orders disclosure of product changes, threatens sanctions

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Lagos State Government has directed manufacturers, importers, distributors and other businesses operating in the state to immediately disclose any material changes made to their products, warning that undisclosed alterations will attract strict regulatory sanctions.

The government, through the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA), said the directive covers changes relating to product formulation, ingredients, weight, size, quality, packaging, labelling, brand presentation and other specifications capable of influencing consumers’ purchasing decisions.

The General Manager/Chief Executive Officer of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo, who gave the directive, said the government’s position was part of its renewed efforts to strengthen consumer protection, promote transparency and curb deceptive trade practices in the marketplace.

According to a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, Solebo said the right of consumers to accurate and sufficient product information remained non-negotiable, warning businesses against making alterations without clearly informing the public.

He said, “The right of every consumer to accurate, clear, and sufficient product information is non-negotiable. Manufacturers and businesses must understand that any unannounced alterations capable of misleading or confusing consumers will not be tolerated.

“This is a binding regulatory directive, and LASCOPA will apply the full force of the law against any defaulting organisation.”

According to him, any modification affecting a product’s identity, formulation, ingredients, composition, quality, quantity, packaging, labelling, brand presentation or any other attribute that could influence consumer choice must be clearly disclosed before the product is introduced into the market.

Solebo also urged manufacturers and businesses to adopt a uniform method of displaying essential product information, including Date of Production (DP), Best Before (BB), Expiry Date (ED), Batch Number (BN), as well as measurements such as grams, kilograms, millilitres and litres.

He said standardising the placement of such information would enable consumers to easily locate and verify essential details before making purchasing decisions.

The LASCOPA boss further warned that failure to comply with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 and the Lagos State Consumer Protection Law 2025 (as amended) constituted a regulatory breach that could attract administrative penalties and other sanctions prescribed by law.

He stressed that accurate product information was a legal obligation and not a matter of corporate discretion, adding that product labels, packaging, advertisements and other consumer-facing descriptions must truthfully represent the products being offered for sale.

Solebo disclosed that LASCOPA would intensify market surveillance and enforcement activities across the state to ensure compliance, adding that businesses found to have introduced undisclosed product changes would face appropriate regulatory action.

He also urged consumers to remain vigilant by carefully checking product labels and comparing information before making purchases, while encouraging them to report suspected cases of misleading labelling or undisclosed product modifications to the agency.

Consumers, he said, could lodge complaints through LASCOPA’s established channels, including its Facebook, Instagram and X platforms, as well as via email at lasgcopa@gmail.com.

Solebo reaffirmed LASCOPA’s commitment to safeguarding consumer rights and sustaining confidence in the Lagos marketplace, stressing that transparency, accountability and fair trading remained essential standards for businesses operating in the state.