FCCPC, NAFDAC Hail Rite Foods’ Safe Manufacturing Standards, Boost Consumer Confidence
Regulatory agencies and industry stakeholders have commended Rite Foods Limited for its commitment to safe manufacturing practices and high-quality products, describing the company’s approach as key to strengthening consumer confidence in Nigeria’s food and beverage sector.
The commendation came from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) during a stakeholder forum marking World Consumer Rights Day, themed “Safe Product, Confident Consumers.”
The event, organised by the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN), was hosted at Rite Foods’ state-of-the-art production facility in Ososa, Ogun State, bringing together regulators, consumer advocates and journalists to discuss product safety, responsible manufacturing and consumer awareness.
Observed annually on March 15, World Consumer Rights Day highlights the importance of protecting consumers and strengthening trust in products and services.
In his welcome address, General Manager, Operations at Rite Foods Limited, Femi Ajileye, said the company remains committed to producing world-class food and beverage products using global best practices.
“At Rite Foods, our philosophy is simply to consistently deliver safe, high-quality products that consumers can trust. Our investment in advanced technology, automated processes and rigorous quality assurance reflects our commitment to excellence and consumer satisfaction,” he said.
Ajileye added that the company would continue to prioritise transparency and stakeholder engagement as part of its responsibility to consumers.
Speaking at the forum, Olubunmi Dorcas Otti, South-West Zonal Coordinator of the FCCPC, representing the Commission’s Executive Vice Chairman, Tunji Bello, said Rite Foods had demonstrated strong commitment to consumer protection through transparent operations and adherence to high production standards.
According to her, opening its manufacturing facility to regulators, journalists and stakeholders reflects the company’s confidence in its production processes.
“Rite Foods has taken a commendable step in reinforcing consumer confidence through quality products and transparent operations. Protecting consumers is a shared responsibility, and engagements like this strengthen collaboration between regulators, industry players and the media,” she said.
Otti also emphasised the critical role of the media in bridging the gap between producers, regulators and the public through accurate reporting and consumer education.
Also speaking, Tinuola Akinnubi, Deputy Director at NAFDAC’s Food Regulatory Directorate and Focal Point for Alcohol, representing the Director-General Mojisola Adeyeye, said consumer rights remain central to effective regulatory governance.
She noted that these rights include the right to safety, information, choice, redress and to be heard.
“A protected consumer is a confident consumer. And confident consumers strengthen markets, which ultimately contribute to building strong nations,” she said.
Akinnubi added that improving Nigeria’s consumer protection ecosystem requires stronger surveillance, enhanced post-market monitoring, deeper stakeholder engagement, the use of technology for traceability and sustained consumer awareness initiatives.
Delivering the keynote address, President and Founder of the Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CAFON), Sola Salako, highlighted the role of technology in promoting consumer protection.
Speaking on “Using AI to Improve Consumer Confidence,” she introduced the CAFON Consumer Companion (3C) App, designed to help Nigerian consumers understand and enforce their rights by providing guidance on dispute resolution, complaint drafting and identifying potential legal violations.
Salako noted that journalists could also leverage the platform to verify consumer claims, investigate unfair practices and promote accountability.
Chairman of the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria, Dan Obi, commended Rite Foods for opening its factory to journalists and regulators, describing the move as a demonstration of transparency and confidence in its manufacturing standards.
“The level of professionalism, hygiene and automation observed during the factory tour reinforces confidence in the quality of products coming from Rite Foods. This kind of openness strengthens public trust and promotes responsible industry practices,” he said.
Rite Foods’ product portfolio includes Bigi Carbonated Soft Drinks, Bigi Premium Table Water, Sosa Fruit Drink, Fearless Energy Drink, as well as Bigi Flex, Rite, and Bigi Beef Sausages.
The company recently received the Outstanding FMCG Corporate Brand of the Year at the Edge Awards, alongside multiple honours at the Sustainability, Innovation and Social Impact Awards (SISA) and the SERAS Awards.