CPC to investigate grammage of sachet products

Following complaints by consumers, the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) says it has concluded arrangement to commence investigation into the actual grammage of sachet goods against what is obtainable in the markets.

Abiodun Obimuyiwa, a Deputy Director in the CPC who made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday, said that consumers had complained that they were being shortchanged by various companies.

“Information reaching our offices showed that consumers feel shortchanged with the goods purchased with their hard-earned money,’’ he said.

Obimuyiwa assured consumers that companies found wanting after the investigation would be sanctioned accordingly.

“If 20 grams is indicated on the sachet of a product, then its quantity must measure up to expectation,’’ he said.

He said that CPC’s major concern was to ensure that consumers get value for their money, noting that something must be done about the concerns of the common man.

However, some Lagosians had told NAN that their concerns about the suspected rip off.

A medical practitioner, Foluwakemi Ekiogawe, told NAN that the content of sachet products, especially milk had drastically reduced when compared with what was obtainable years ago.

“The content of milk has really gone down meanwhile the price has gone up and I just cannot understand why that is so,’’ she said.

A housewife, Abigail Ogunsola, expressed worry over the ever-increasing cost of detergent without the commensurate quantity in line with the cost.

“I just do not think I am getting value for my money as before, you know what is happening, N150 worth of detergent cannot wash a small basin of clothes.

“Something needs to be done to alleviate the suffering of the masses,’’ Ogunsola said.

A cleaner, Tolani Idowu, decried the quality and type of liquid antiseptic sold in the market today.

“It used to easily turn whitish when a few drops were poured into water but the reverse is the case these days even among the popular products.

“I am concerned because I do not know if the potency of the product has been compromised,’’ she said.

Sola Salako-Ajulo, founder of Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CAFON), told NAN that some companies, in a bid to meet up with the economic situation were guilty of the practice of reducing the quantity against what is indicated on the sachet.

Salako-Ajulo, however, condemned the act saying that it was unfair and dubious because it should be indicated if the grammage is reduced so that consumers know what value they are getting for their money.

The CAFON founder encouraged consumers who felt cheated to bring such observation to the notice of the consumer protection agencies.

“Lagos Sate has an agency known as the Consumer Protection Agency and they have the professional capacity to verify such claims by carrying out professional evaluation.

“Nobody will blame you if you reduce the quantity of a good and the price remains the same or get higher; that is a function of the economy.

“It is not right to pass it off as the same quantity when it is not,’’ she said.