At the backdrop of ongoing altercations between Erisco Foods and an aggrieved customer, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has charged regulators and the consuming public to promote an environment that safeguards the interest of consumers and protects the business and integrity of manufacturers in the country.
Drawing from the recent incident involving the indigenous manufacturer of food products and a dissatisfied customer, MAN highlighted the need for equal protection of manufacturers and consumers’ rights.
In a statement made available to Vanguard, Director General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, emphasized the need for intentional steps to protect manufacturers from the adverse effects of social media trial and defamation and ensuring fairness for all stakeholders.
“The case underscored the importance of diligent investigation as carried out by the Lagos State consumer protection agency and the Standards Organization of Nigeria, SON, which exonerated the manufacturer of the said product. The two agencies should actually be commended for unraveling the truth of the case,” he stated.
Recall that a consumer, Chioma Okoli, wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree produced by Erisco Foods, which the company considers as malicious, and for which Okoli is facing prosecution and possible imprisonment.
Ajayi-Kadir said social media defamation could significantly affect businesses and even threaten their existence, stressing the need for measures that recognize the challenges faced by manufacturers in Nigeria and encourage consumer patronage and empathy.
His words: “Manufacturers should be protected from the adverse effects of unverified negative claims about locally manufactured products. While acknowledging and encouraging consumers’ right to voice legitimate complaints through appropriate channels, there is the need to hold consumers accountable for spreading false information about local products and attempting to vilify local manufacturers in the public opinion place.
