NAFDAC destroys N120bn ‘merchants of death’ fake products

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) announced that it destroyed over ₦120bn worth of seized products between July and December 2024 across the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory.

NAFDAC also reassured Nigerians that measures are in place to safeguard their health before, during, and after the yuletide season.

This was disclosed in the Christmas message from NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, as contained in a statement signed by the agency’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, on Sunday.

Adeyeye emphasised the importance of eating safely during the Yuletide period and advised Nigerians to purchase food and drinks from outlets with identifiable addresses to facilitate the agency’s tracking processes.

She warned against eating pharmaceuticals and packaged food products that do not have NAFDAC registration numbers, noting that exceptionally low-cost products are likely to be contaminated.

READ ALSO:

• Lagos govt nightclubs, worship centres must obtain permit for amplified sound
• Alleged missing N180m: It’s a prank, Singer Dammy Krane says
• Inter Milan crush Cagliari 3-0 to top Serie A

She also revealed that the agency’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate is continuing to remove substandard and fraudulent pharmaceuticals, as well as unwholesome food items, from marketplaces around the country.

“Officers from the Investigation and Enforcement, Pharmacovigilance, and Post-Marketing Surveillance Directorates are in the field confiscating falsified medicines, fake wines and drinks, and unwholesome food products that could jeopardise public health during the festive season,” she said.

In December 2024, the agency destroyed expired and unregistered drugs worth ₦11bn in Ibadan and seized counterfeit alcoholic beverages and medicines worth billions of naira in Lagos.

In Nasarawa State, the agency uncovered a factory packaging counterfeit rice and confiscated over 1,600 bags worth ₦5bn.

Adeyeye emphasised NAFDAC’s commitment to ensuring that the Nigerian market only contains safe, high-quality food and medicines.

She warned that the agency would step up efforts to put counterfeiters out of business, branding them as “merchants of death.”

NAFDAC destroys N5bn fake, expired products in Aba

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down 150 shops at Eziukwu Market in Abia over fake and expired products Worth N5 billion.

The agency disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday on X.

NAFDAC said the shops were shut during a two-day operation on December 16 and 17, while products valued at N5billion were destroyed at the market.

The director of the South-East zone, Martins Iluyomade, expressed dismay at the continued illegal activities despite a previous undertaking signed by market leaders in December 2023 to expose counterfeiters.

READ ALSO:

• Speaker Abbas to Tinubu: Your reforms have disrupted status quo
• Abuja demolition: Soldiers attack FCTA officials, seize vehicles
• Onion price rises over 100%, flooding, inflation blamed

According to the statement, Mr Iluyomade described the market as a hub for counterfeit and substandard products.

“Our team uncovered a large-scale production and distribution of fake and expired goods, including beverages, carbonated drinks, wines, spirits, and vegetable oils.

“Revalidated food items such as milk, yoghurt, noodles among others were also destroyed,” the statement said.

It reaffirmed NAFDAC zero tolerance for such practices and emphasised its unwavering commitment to safeguarding public health while working toward a permanent solution to the problem of counterfeiting in the market

NAFDAC destroys N5bn fake, expired products in Aba

(NAN)

Eating fish regularly minimises risk of incurable hearing condition – Study

Tinnitus is the sound of ringing in the ears. It may also be described as roaring, buzzing, hissing, or clicking inside the head. The sounds may come and go. Or they may be ongoing. The sounds range in severity from a mild distraction to a disabling condition and may manifest with buzzing, hissing, or clicking inside the head.