*Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, also describes certain vital videos calling out fake and substandard foods and products in Nigeria as ‘fake and overly sensational’
Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said it uncovered a suspected facility where expired energy drinks, wines and whisky brands were being revalidated for sale at Zamfara Plaza, BBA Trade Fair Complex, Lagos State.
ConsumerConnect reports NAFDAC disclosed this development in a video posted on its official X account, showing its operatives inspecting the facility and discovering drinks allegedly undergoing revalidation
The officials of the agency also discovered chemicals and equipment suspected to have been used in the operation at the facility.
In the video, an agency official was heard explaining that the suspects removed expired labels from energy drink containers to make the products appear suitable for consumption.
The NAFDAC Enforcement operatives displayed bottles awaiting the same process, as well as packaging materials, new bottle corks, and what the official described as a filtration system comprising a large bowl containing liquid.
The official of the agency noted that at the scene, the suspects allegedly supplied the revalidated drinks to bars and nightclubs through arrangements with some bar managers, potentially exposing consumers to expired or falsified alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
NAFDAC, however, expressed concern over the discovery, while indicating that the operation was part of its efforts at tackling suspected counterfeit products.
Adeyeye speaks on viral videos on fake, substandard foods and products
Meanwhile, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, described as fake and overly sensational some videos making the rounds on social media from Nigerians, calling out fake and substandard foods and products.
Prof. Adeyeye, who spoke as a Special Guest of Honour at the Nigerian Institute of Food, Science and Technology (NIFST) 50th Conference and Annual General Meeting, in Lagos, dismissed the videos.
According to her, they are untrue and lack substance.
She also stated: “Many of those videos seen on social media are untrue.
“Nigerians have to be careful regarding what they see posted on social media because many are simply posting untrue things there.”
The Director-General of NAFDAC emphasised that the agency’s activities are strictly for semi-processed and fully processed foods.
Lamenting that the agency is understaffed and overworked, Prof. Adeyeye said the staff strength of the agency is just slightly over 2,000 people, serving about 240 million Nigerians.
The Director-General of the health sector regulatory agency as well noted that Nigerian foods are medicinal, and impact life quality.