News in Brief:
– NAFDAC sealed four rice milling companies in Nasarawa State for counterfeiting, seizing branded bags and equipment.
– The agency cited a brewery depot for poor storage as it stressed its commitment to preventing the sale of substandard food in the country.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has taken decisive actions against illicit rice milling activities in Nasarawa, sealing four local companies suspected of counterfeiting popular rice brands.
The crackdown targeted facilities in the Autabalefi area, Masaka main market, and a local motor park.
During the raid, NAFDAC officials confiscated materials believed to be used in the production of counterfeit rice. These included numerous empty branded bags bearing the logos of well-known companies such as Royal Stallion, Tomato, Big Bull, and BUA Rice.
Additionally, sealing machines, sewing thread, packing bowls, and two 50kg bags of rice were seized as evidence of the illicit operations.
Commitment to Public Safety
Benedicta Obaseki, Deputy Director of NAFDAC’s Greater FCT Office in Mararaba, stated that the agency initiated the raid in response to information received from concerned citizens. She stressed the critical importance of preventing substandard rice from entering the market, especially as the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations approach.
“The raid was essential to prevent the distribution of inferior rice, particularly with the upcoming Sallah festivities,” Ms. Obaseki explained.
Furthermore, she highlighted the agency’s unwavering commitment to guaranteeing the safety and quality of food products available to consumers.
“We recognise that some individuals exploit such periods to circulate fraudulent products for financial gain, necessitating our proactive measures,” she added.
Strict Enforcement and Warnings
Obaseki reiterated that NAFDAC, acting on behalf of Director-General Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, took firm action against the rice manufacturers for their failure to adhere to regulatory standards.
Consequently, the seized products have been impounded and are slated for destruction. She stressed that fake rice poses substantial health risks, which NAFDAC is determined to eliminate.
The agency affirmed its ongoing commitment to market surveillance, vowing to continue raiding premises to remove substandard rice and other non-compliant products. Sanctions will be imposed on any products found to violate established standards.
Also, Obaseki urged the public to exercise caution and purchase rice only from credible sources, noting recent discoveries of deceptive practices. She also advised consumers to consistently verify the NAFDAC registration number on all products to ensure their safety, underscoring that public health remains the agency’s foremost concern.
Company Responses
In response to the seals, Purity Obadiah, a manager at one of the affected companies, denied involvement in repackaging branded rice. He claimed that his company had rejected requests from customers to package rice in new branded bags since last December, adhering to explicit instructions from the company owner.
Similarly, Maris Kano, whose company was also sealed, refuted any wrongdoing. She asserted that the bags used for repackaging her rice were purchased from the open market and were not pre-branded bags belonging to other companies.
