The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has begun developing a national product traceability portal that will allow consumers and regulators to verify the authenticity and origin of goods through QR codes, as part of efforts to combat illicit trade in spirits and wines.
Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, disclosed this Wednesday while delivering a keynote address at a workshop on combating illicit trade in the spirits and wines industry, organised by the Spirits and Wines Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in Abuja.
Represented by the Director of Surveillance, Mrs. Boladale Adeyinka said illicit trade in spirits and wines “is not merely an industry problem” but raises serious concerns for consumer protection, fair competition, public revenue and market integrity.
“When counterfeit, smuggled, adulterated or falsely labelled products circulate freely, consumers are exposed to avoidable risks, lawful businesses come under unfair pressure, and confidence in the marketplace is weakened,” he said.
He warned that illicit alcohol often contains unsafe substances like methanol or improperly processed ethanol, which are “implicated in severe poisoning, long-term organ damage and in some cases, loss of life.”
“A bottle of drink may appear genuine because the packaging looks familiar. The label may imitate a trusted brand, and the seal may appear intact. Yet the contents may be diluted, contaminated, improperly stored or entirely different from what is presented,” Bello stated.
Beyond health risks, he said legitimate businesses that pay duties and comply with standards are placed at a “serious disadvantage” when competing against operators whose model depends on evasion.
“When illegality becomes cheaper than compliance, honest enterprise suffers. Government also pays a price through lost revenue, weaker oversight and the diversion of already limited enforcement resources,” he added.
Bello stressed that FCCPC does not seek to duplicate the mandates of Customs, SON, FIRS or NAFDAC, but to address “consumer harm and market distortion” created by illicit trade.
He announced that FCCPC has begun developing a national product traceability portal using QR codes for verification of authenticity and origin.
“Products in the market should be traceable through legitimate supply chains. When a suspicious product is found, authorities and responsible businesses should be able to determine where it came from, how it moved and who placed it in circulation,” he said.
The Commission has also established a Joint Market Monitoring Taskforce involving FCCPC officials and market union representatives to strengthen oversight in informal markets.
*Call for Intelligence-Led Enforcement*
Bello said enforcement must be “intelligence-led, risk-based and consistent,” extending beyond retail shelves to warehouses, supply routes, nightlife channels, online platforms and repeat offenders.
“Consistent and visible enforcement changes behaviour; irregular enforcement does not,” he noted.
*Truth be told*, he said illicit trade thrives when every actor assumes responsibility lies elsewhere. “Importers must know their channels. Distributors must know the sources of their stock. Retailers must know their suppliers. Consumers must remain vigilant.”
He urged industry associations to help identify suspicious trends early, strengthen authentication systems, improve distributor discipline, and support public awareness.
“Responsible businesses are not simply victims of illicit trade; they are essential partners in tackling it,” Bello said.
While noting that consumers should not be expected to conduct “forensic investigations” before ordinary purchases, he urged them to buy from credible outlets, inspect labels and seals, be cautious of prices that “defy common sense,” and report suspicious products.
“Consumer vigilance is often the first defence line in the battle to keep the market safe,” he said.
Bello said FCCPC will continue to investigate deceptive practices, engage businesses on compliance, and collaborate with competent authorities where consumer welfare and market integrity are threatened.
“The choice before us is clear. We can tolerate markets in which deception spreads, unsafe goods circulate and compliant businesses are undercut. Or we can build markets in which trust is rewarded, compliance retains value and consumers are properly protected,” he concluded.
The workshop, held at the Africa Continental Hotel, Abuja, on April 22, 2026, brought together regulators, enforcement agencies, private sector players, and the media.
