SON destroys N25m worth of substandard goods in Kaduna

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) on Friday destroyed expired and substandard consumable goods valued at about N25 million in Kaduna as part of efforts to safeguard public health and ensure product quality.

The exercise, held at a designated site outside the Kaduna metropolis, involved the destruction of 230 bags of expired sugar, as well as soft drinks, milk, tomato pastes, insecticides, and other consumer goods that failed to meet safety and quality standards.

Speaking during the exercise, Mr. Adamu Ahmed, SON’s Deputy Director for the North-West Region, said the items were seized after failing the agency’s conformity and laboratory tests.

“We are here today to destroy substandard products that did not comply with required standards.

“Their destruction is to ensure consumers do not unknowingly use items that could endanger their health,” he stated.

Ahmed explained that all 230 bags of sugar had expired and were deemed unsafe for consumption.

He stressed that the destruction exercise underscores SON’s mandate to protect Nigerians through standardisation and quality assurance.

“This action sends a clear message to manufacturers, importers, and distributors that we will not compromise on quality.

“These substandard products pose serious risks to consumers,” he said.

According to him, the confiscation followed SON’s rigorous enforcement and assessment process, aimed at boosting consumer confidence and ensuring that only safe, quality-assured products reach the market.

Ahmed also commended compliant manufacturers and importers, urging others to align with national standards to help build a safer marketplace.

He expressed appreciation to collaborating agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police, NSCDC, NESREA, KEPA, and the Kaduna State Government, for their support.

“This destruction serves as a warning to those trading in substandard goods.

“SON will continue to ensure strict adherence to quality specifications,” he added.

The Kaduna State Coordinator of NESREA, Mr. Hena Dangari, who witnessed the exercise, praised SON’s consistency in protecting consumers from unsafe products, describing the effort as a model of effective inter-agency collaboration.

“We are glad to witness the disposal of these harmful products to prevent them from entering the market.

“It shows SON’s commitment to consumer protection and environmental safety,” Dangari said.

He urged Nigerians to report suspected fake or substandard goods to relevant authorities, noting that public vigilance was vital to preventing health and environmental hazards.

Dangari also cautioned against the use of single-use plastics, describing them as major contributors to environmental degradation, flooding, and erosion.

He said NESREA was enforcing the ban on single-use plastics in public and private offices under the Extended Producer Responsibility initiative.

Also speaking, the General Manager of the Kaduna Environmental Protection Authority (KEPA), Mr. Yahya Victor, represented by Mrs.
Thelma Peters, commended SON for involving state agencies in the operation.

“We are in the same line of work, and we will continue to collaborate with SON to protect public health, ensure safety, and promote environmental sustainability,” he said.