Following the alarming rise in the number of counterfeit and fake beverages in the Nigerian markets, medical experts have raised concerns over the potential health risks they pose.
They warned that fake products, which are often made with substandard materials or contaminated with harmful substances can damage the kidneys, leading to renal failure.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer in a report revealed that one out of every 10 cancer cases in Nigeria can be traced to alcohol, while 4.7 per cent of overall cancer cases in Nigeria in 2019 can be attributed to the consumption of adulterated alcohol.
While educating Nigerians on how to know original products, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control released a list of contaminated wines and drinks that are currently on the market.
The director-general of NAFDAC, Professor Moji Adeyeye, in a recent press statement, disclosed that the Agency raided over 240 shops-turned-factories where the harmful products were being produced and marketed.
She added that the illegal manufacturing sites were very filthy and were using water from very unhygienic sources, harmful chemicals, saccharin, colouring, dirty recycled bottles, and cloned packaging materials of other brands.
Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise, a toxicologist and a public health physician noted that consuming fake beverages is mostly associated with common health risks like liver, heart, and kidney diseases.
According to them, the contaminants used in the production of these beverages can cause liver damage, which can lead to cirrhosis or even cancer.
The contaminants can also cause cardiovascular problems, such as heart attacks and strokes, they said.
A Professor of Public Health, Tanimola Akande explained that fake beverages and drinks do not contain the same contents as the original ones.
Akande, who is a former National Chairman of the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, said people need to pay more attention to the quality of the prints, spellings, and details of the manufacturer before buying such products.
While stressing that fake beverages and drinks most often are not packaged like the original ones, the physician noted that the consumption of fake drinks and beverages may lead to poisoning, gastrointestinal problems, and chronic illnesses like cancer.
He further said, “The quality of the prints on the drinks and beverages are often below the standard of the original one. Sometimes, there are spelling errors, and they may not show the name and address of the manufacturer. Some of them don’t have NAFDAC numbers or have fake NAFDAC numbers.
“Increasing cases of liver, heart and kidney diseases may be traceable to the consumption of fake drinks and beverages. However, scientific data is not available in Nigeria to confirm this.
“The problem of fake drinks and beverages has been with us in Nigeria for a long time but is certainly on the increase. The challenging economic situation in Nigeria is a contributory factor. Nigerians are also getting increasingly desperate to make money.
“Nigerians should be aware that this menace is on the increase in Nigeria and, therefore, the need for more vigilance and reporting of suspected cases.”
On how best to tackle the menace, the professor of public health added, “Government, the society, and individuals have a role to play. There should be a high degree of suspicion among Nigerians, and cases should be promptly reported to the appropriate authorities.
“Regulatory bodies like NAFDAC and Standard Organisation of Nigeria have a big role to play through active surveillance and by putting in place appropriate sanctions for perpetrators.”
Similarly, a toxicologist, Dr Amaechi Nwosu added that the problem of fake beverages is particularly acute in Nigeria due to lack of regulatory oversight and weak enforcement.
He recommended that consumers be wary of any unusually cheap beverage, or that does not have a proper label or packaging.
The expert also called on the government to increase the penalties for those who produce and sell fake beverages and to step up enforcement to stamp the availability of the products.
“In conclusion, the dangers of fake beverages are severe and range from liver and kidney damage to cardiovascular problems. If you suspect that a beverage you have consumed is fake, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
“Counterfeit and substandard beverages can have lethal consequences for consumers, both in the short and long term. Anyone who suspects they have consumed a fake beverage should seek immediate medical help.
“We must do more to raise awareness on this issue and take action to protect the health of our citizens,” he advised.
Meanwhile, a study that found a link between fake beverages, and liver and kidney damage was published in the journal, Nature, in 2018.
The research, which was conducted at the University of Hong Kong, found that individuals who consumed substandard beverages were more likely to develop both liver and kidney disease.
In carrying out the study, the researchers followed over 1,000 individuals over a period of 10 years and found that those who consumed fake beverages had a significantly higher risk of developing both liver and kidney disease.
The study authors believed that the toxins found in the beverages may be responsible for the increased risk.
According to the study, the toxins found in fake beverages can cause inflammation and scarring of the liver, leading to liver damage, and can also cause kidney damage, by increasing the risk of kidney stones, leading to kidney failure.
The study also discovered that those who consume fake beverages are more likely to develop other health problems, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
The authors advised consumers to be on the lookout for fake beverages, and report any suspicious products to the authorities.
