Man Scans Rum, Finds It Registered as Lucozade Boost

C Concerns over the widespread circulation of counterfeit products in Nigeria have escalated after a shocking revelation on social media, where a consumer discovered that a bottle of rum was registered with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) as Lucozade Boost.

The incident was brought to light by media personality Leo Dasilva (@SirLeoBDasilva) on X (formerly Twitter), who expressed deep frustration over the alarming rate of fake goods in Nigerian markets, particularly in Abuja.

“The amount of fake drugs, fake deodorants, fake toothpaste and fake skincare in Nigeria is ridiculous,” Dasilva wrote. “In one month, I have bought fake cod liver oil, fake Gestid, fake Sensodyne, fake Simple face wash, fake deodorant, etc. NAFDAC needs to raid all big supermarkets in Abuja.”

Dasilva also advised Nigerians on how to spot counterfeit foreign products using technology.
“All foreign products have a barcode. If you want to verify if they are fake or not, scan the barcode with Google Lens,” he explained. “This is how I discovered the Simple Face Wash in 4U was fake.”

One particularly disturbing example cited involved a rum bottle whose barcode, when scanned, revealed that it was registered as Lucozade Boost—a popular energy drink. This has further fueled public anxiety over the safety of consumables in circulation.

The situation appears to be deteriorating, with Dasilva adding, “By the way, there is now fake Aboniki.”

Consumers are now urging NAFDAC to intensify market surveillance and enforce stricter regulations on the importation and sale of consumable and personal care products. Many have also called for public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on using tools like Google Lens to verify product authenticity.