The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) yesterday destroyed counterfeit, unregistered and expired products valued at ₦1.36 billion in Abuja. The destruction took place at the Kuje dumpsite and included items such as fake drugs, unwholesome food and substandard cosmetics.
According to NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by Dr. Festus Ukadike, the exercise is a regular operation aimed at removing harmful products from circulation. She noted that the agency carries out similar activities in different zones of the country annually, depending on the volume of seizures.
The agency also destroyed items handed over by compliant organizations, including expired products from supermarkets labeled only in foreign languages without English translations. Notably, over 6,000 bags of rebagged rice seized in the Federal Capital Territory were part of the operation.
Prof. Adeyeye emphasized NAFDAC’s zero tolerance for health related crimes, adding that investigations are ongoing to hold offenders accountable. The agency has increased its post marketing surveillance and enforcement activities, engaging stakeholders and the public to strengthen the fight against substandard products.
The event saw commendations from various stakeholders, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria. SON’s Director-General, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, stressed the importance of compliance with standards, warning that violators would face strict penalties under the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
This latest destruction exercise underscores NAFDAC’s unwavering commitment to protecting Nigerians from harmful products and ensuring public safety.