Actress Ruth Kadiri raises alarm over harmful products in circulation
By Mercy Ajekigbe
Nigerian actress and filmmaker Ruth Kadiri has raised concerns over the circulation of fake and potentially harmful products in Nigeria, calling on regulatory agencies to strengthen their monitoring and enforcement procedures.
Kadiri expressed her concerns in a video in which she recounted an experience involving a garlic that turned green a few minutes after it was blended.
“I bought garlic, blended it, went upstairs and came back, and my garlic had turned green,” she said.
Although Kadiri’s observation remains a personal experience and the cause of the colour change has not been established through independent laboratory testing, her account adds to broader concerns frequently expressed by Nigerians about the quality of products in the market.
According to the actress, Nigerians routinely purchase food, drinks, medicines, cosmetics and household products believing they are safe, only to discover that some may be poorly produced, contaminated or counterfeit.
She said the situation has contributed to the increasing record of health consequences in Nigerians, particularly children.
“Sometimes, we see children having kidney problems and we ask ourselves: where is this increasing problem coming from?” she said.
Kadiri also disclosed that the concerns have made her increasingly cautious about purchasing pre-packaged drinks for her children.
While calling on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to strengthen its monitoring procedures and policies, the actress acknowledged that consumers also have a role to play in tackling the problem.
She urged Nigerians to report suspicious products and manufacturing activities in their communities, stressing that collective action is necessary to curb the circulation of substandard and potentially harmful goods.
Kadiri also criticised manufacturers who engage in such practices for profit despite the safety risks and potential consequences for consumers.
“This is not just a business problem. It’s a threat to human life. It’s not just a buying problem. It is a ‘we’ problem. NAFDAC, please pay attention to the lives of Nigerians. Lots and lots of people are sick and are not getting better,” she added.
Kadiri further urged parents and guardians to exercise caution when purchasing products, particularly food and drugs. She advised them to check expiry dates, product labels and NAFDAC registration number before making purchases.
Kadiri’s warning contributes to the larger discourse about counterfeit and substandard products in Nigeria, as consumers continue to express concerns over the safety and quality of goods available in the market.
