Traditional ruler of Uzi Amizi autonomous community in Olokoro, Umuahia South LGA of Abia State, Eze Cyril Ogbenna has expressed concern over the increasing circulation of fake and adulterated honey in markets across the country.
He described the trend as a serious threat to the health of consumers, honest producers and the integrity of Nigeria’s honey industry.
The traditional ruler, who was speaking to journalists on Sunday about the National Urban Beekeeping Day, warned that adulterated honey in circulation undermined public confidence, deprived genuine beekeepers of deserved income and posed potential health risks to internal organs of consumers.
Eze Ogbenna called on NAFDAC, other health regulatory agencies, and security agencies to immediately reinforce market surveillance, strengthen quality assurance mechanisms and launch a major crackdown on individuals involved in the production and sale of adulterated honey across the country.
He condemned some dishonest practices and economic crimes where some traders allegedly pick some dead bees and throw them into the containers of fake honey bottles, before selling to the public as “genuine honey”, advising the Federal government and States to safeguard the citizens from such unwholesome products.
“Consumers should purchase honey from reputable and trusted producers, cooperatives and registered outlets, because doing this will discourage the activities of counterfeiters.
“It will also support genuine producers, as well checkmate the rising cases of kidney and liver failures and other deadly diseases among Nigerians”, said Eze Ogbenna.
The Abia mponarch further encouraged Nigerian youths to explore beekeeping alongside other agricultural ventures, describing the enterprise as relatively affordable, environmentally friendly and capable of generating sustainable income.