SON raids wine shops in Ebonyi, impounds substandard, adulterated wines

From Chinedu Nwafor Abakaliki

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) said it has impounded substandard and adulterated alcoholic and non-alcoholic wines within Abakaliki metropolis in Ebonyi.

In a statement released by the Head of Public Relations, SON South-East Regional Operations, Mr. Iorkyaa Paul stated that the enforcement activity was carried out recently following incessant complaints by members of the public on sighting foreign particles in wine bottles purchased in the state.

According to him, the raid, led by Ebonyi State Coordinator, Engr. Maryrose Ugwueche, was a follow-up on the general sensitization programme held earlier in the state, which was targeted at acquainting supermarkets on the requirements of NIS 506: 2006, Standard for Product Liability.

The SON enforcement operation led the evacuation of several bottles of different brands of wines within shops in Abakaliki with offenders sanctioned accordingly and other penalties to follow.

He said: “The supermarket owners and traders were educated on the implications of displaying substandard products and reiterated the SON’s continuous efforts at ridding the society of substandard products.

“The state coordinator also admonished Consumers to desist from buying from unknown sources as they would be liable for any complaint if the producer or distributor is not traceable.”

It said the SON is highly committed to protecting consumers from being victims of fake and substandard products and assured that the SON would sanction any defaulter found wanting in line with the ACT establishing the Organization.