NMA cites at least 50 deaths in previous incidents and urges authorities to crack down on counterfeit beverages across Ondo State.
In The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ondo State Chapter, on Monday, raised alarm over the proliferation of counterfeit and adulterated beverages in the state, warning the consumption of potentially harmful drinks may be contributing to cases of liver cirrhosis and kidney disease among young people.
The association also called on the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and relevant government authorities to launch an immediate crackdown on fake alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, warning that the products pose a serious threat to public health.
The NMA Chairman in Ondo State, Dr. Roland Bola Arohunmolase, raised the concerns while speaking with journalists in Akure, citing clinical observations of young people developing serious health conditions outside the age groups traditionally associated with such diseases.
Although he said the association could not provide a definitive figure for the cases recorded in recent months because some were still under investigation, Arohunmolase expressed concern over the changing demographic profile of patients presenting with liver and kidney diseases.
He said, “Traditionally, when you profile some diseases, there are certain age groups in which you do not commonly find them. When a disease no longer conforms to its traditional profile, it becomes a cause for concern.”
The NMA chairman added, “For instance, I don’t expect a child of 15 years or someone between 15 and 18 to develop liver cirrhosis. You begin to wonder why that would happen. Similarly, we are finding liver cirrhosis and kidney disease among young people between the ages of 22 and 30. I think it calls for caution.”
According to him, the consumption of unhealthy alcoholic drinks and beverages could be among the risk factors associated with the emergence of these conditions, although investigations would be required to establish the causes of individual cases.
Arohunmolase also cited previous incidents involving suspected adulterated drinks in Odigbo and Irele, saying the reported deaths underscored the urgency of addressing the problem.
“The number of deaths recorded in the incidents in Odigbo and Irele was no fewer than 50. This was not the first time we had recorded such an incident in the state,” he said, recalling an earlier incident in Ilere involving the consumption of methanol.
He warned that methanol, an industrial chemical that can cause severe poisoning, could have devastating consequences when present in beverages intended for human consumption.
The association’s concerns extend beyond informal markets, warning that counterfeit products have allegedly infiltrated supermarkets, hotels, bars and other retail outlets, exposing consumers to potentially dangerous substances.
The NMA said some adulterated products could be manufactured under unhygienic conditions using industrial chemicals and contaminated water, potentially causing acute poisoning and long-term damage to vital organs.
To address the situation, the association called on the FCCPC and relevant Ondo State authorities to commence aggressive, unannounced inspections of markets, supermarkets, hotels, bars and shops suspected of stocking counterfeit beverages.
It also demanded the seizure and destruction of products found to have failed safety and quality standards, as well as the prosecution of producers, distributors and retailers found culpable in the manufacture and sale of adulterated drinks.
The association further urged beverage manufacturers to strengthen measures against counterfeiting by adopting tamper-proof seals, holographic security features, unique QR codes and product-tracking systems that would enable consumers to verify the authenticity of their purchases.
It also advised consumers to be wary of drinks sold at prices significantly below prevailing market rates and to inspect bottle seals, labels, packaging and the appearance of the liquid before making purchases.
Arohunmolase said the association would engage the relevant government agencies but considered it necessary to alert the public immediately rather than wait for official correspondence to pass through bureaucratic processes.
“As medical professionals who are supposed to be the custodians of public health, we needed to bring this to the public’s notice before writing to the relevant authorities,” he said.
He urged anyone who suspected that they had consumed a fake or potentially contaminated beverage to seek medical attention immediately, rather than wait for symptoms to appear.
“Whenever you consume something, you suspect is not okay, it may not be advisable to wait until the symptoms start manifesting. You should seek medical advice on time,” he said.
