The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed counterfeit and substandard goods worth over N120 billion within the last six months across the country.

The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this in a Christmas and New Year message on Sunday, December 29, 2024.

Adeyeye advised consumers to carefully scrutinise products sold at unusual low prices and desist from buying products without NAFDAC registration numbers.

She said: “In recent months, NAFDAC has intensified its efforts to clamp down on the production and distribution of counterfeit goods. In December, the agency destroyed expired and unregistered drugs worth N11 billion in Ibadan, Oyo State.

“A month earlier, N300 million worth of fake medicines were confiscated during a raid at Tyre Village, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos. Similar operations across the country have led to the seizure of counterfeit alcohol worth N2 billion, unwholesome food products, and falsified medicines.

NAFDAC shuts 150 shops, destroys N5bn fake products

“The agency also conducted significant enforcement actions in Nasarawa State, where counterfeit rice valued at N5 billion was seized and a factory along with eight shops was shut down. In the Federal Capital Territory, operations led to the confiscation of over 1,600 bags of counterfeit rice.

“Additionally, large-scale production and distribution of fake and expired goods in Aba, Abia State, resulted in the closure of 150 shops and the seizure of products worth N5 billion.”

The NAFDAC boss, who reiterated the agency’s dedication to ensuring the availability of only safe, quality, and wholesome food products for Nigerians, however, warned that the agency would continue its crackdown on merchants of substandard goods, describing them as “merchants of death” who prioritise profit over public health.

She urged healthcare professionals and consumers to report any suspicious products to the nearest NAFDAC office or via the agency’s helpline.

She assured Nigerians that NAFDAC’s enforcement teams, in collaboration with other directorates, remain on the field to ensure that harmful products are removed from circulation, especially during the high-demand festive period.

The Star