Business
CPC Urges Consumer- Friendly Labelling For Food Products
The Director-General,
Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mrs Dupe Atoki, has called for the adoption of a simplified labelling for pre-packaged foods in the country.
Atoki, made the call at a media briefing on Wednesday in Abuja, as part of the council’s activities to mark the 2015 World Consumer Rights Day.
The theme for the 2015 World Consumer Rights Day is, “ Right to Healthy Food”.
“ CPC is clamouring for a change in the current detailed nutritional information put at the back of these products that it is not comprehensible to consumers.
“ Most consumers lack the skill or time to interpret detailed nutritional information on the back of the package; the council is calling on manufacturers to adopt the ` traffic light’ nutritional labelling.
“This is because the traffic light labelling is very simple and consumers will be able to read and understand the information at first glance.”
The Director-General said that the international community identified healthy food in schools, reduction in fatty foods, salt and sugar consumption as ways to sensitise and educate consumers.
She said that the sensitisation would focus on educating school children that preferred and fed on junk foods which in the long run results in obesity.”
She added that CPC would reach out to other organisations to assist them to roll out the sensitisation of healthy foods for children.
“The council is using the opportunity of the commemoration to sensitise Nigerian consumers to make informed decision on what they purchase and consume.
“ There is need for consumers to check the labelling of these products as well as for the manufacturers to adopt best practices in line with the council’s mandate,” Atoki said.
She said that poor diet had become the number one global risk factor for death in most countries, adding that the essence of the campaign was to encourage consumers to buy wisely as “information is power”.
“The mission for this year’s message is to educate and sensitise consumers by providing salient information on food to help them make informed choices at the point of purchase.
“Consumers are therefore urged to use information available to them and in exercising their right to choice, buy wisely to live healthy.”
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
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