Health Alert: NAFDAC busts N2bn fake alcohol-packaging operations in Lagos, warns consumers

*Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control enforcement official seize over 50,000 counterfeit branded labels and packaging materials for fake alcoholic beverages, valued at approximately N2 billion at Article Market, in Abule-Osun area of Lagos State, warning consumers against severe health risks of fake alcohol, including poisoning and organ damage

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In its continued stride to protect the wellbeing of Nigerian consumers, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC), again, has dismantled illegal alcohol-packaging operations at Article Market, in Abule-Osun area of Lagos State.

ConsumerConnect reports NAFDAC, which noted this development Thursday, November 21, 2024, via its verified social media account, explained that during the raid, the enforcement officials of the agency seized over 50,000 counterfeit branded labels and packaging materials for fake alcoholic beverages, valued at approximately N2 billion.

The Nigerian health sector regulatory agency also stated: “These items were being used to produce unapproved and hazardous alcoholic products.”

The agency, therefore, warned consumers against the severe health risks of counterfeit alcohol, including poisoning and organ damage.

It said: “Consumers are advised to purchase alcoholic beverages only from trusted vendors and report any suspicious activities to the nearest NAFDAC office.”

It is recalled that as this year’s festive season approaches, the agency’s officials earlier in the week had raided a warehouse stocked with unregistered, expired and contaminated supermarket items at Oke-Afa, Okota area of Lagos State.

NAFDAC said its officials had busted the gang at the warehouse, following intelligence received about the activities of the operators of facility.

According to the agency in a statement, the operatives invaded the 14-room facility, and apprehended the operators of the warehouse during the operation.

The agecny’s operatives arrested operators of the warehouse while offloading a 20ft container filled with unregistered carbonated drinks in Lagos.

“A further inspection revealed over 14 rooms packed with unregistered and expired products, some of which were contaminated by rats, indicating poor storage conditions.

“The facility was placed on hold, with all operations suspended pending further investigation,” it said.

It also noted: “NAFDAC has invited the management to provide sourcing evidence, including the Global Listing for Supermarket Items (GLSI) certificate.”

The health regulatory agency as well cautioned consumers of products against the risks of unregulated products, particularly as the festive season approaches in the country.

NAFDAC equally advised Nigerian consumers to remain vigilant by verifying product sources.