Confiscates estimated N50M worth of adulterated products
By Biola Lawal
Flowerbudnews: NAFDAC’s operational efforts to rid the country of fake and substandard products recorded another major success in Lagos with the Agency smashing an illegal alcohol factory in Badagry area.
(NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye beams with smiles as her Agency records more successes against counterfeiters)
NAFDAC enforcement officers, aided by intelligence from the Nigerian Army’s 15 Field Engineering Regiment in Badagry, dismantled the operations of Mr. Chinedu Okafor, an illegal drinks manufacturer operating from his residence at No. 24, MTN Road, Badagry..
(Some of the confiscated adulterated products, etc)
Mr. Okafor’s suspicious activities caught the attention of the Nigerian Army, leading to his arrest and subsequent collaboration with NAFDAC officers at the Ports Inspection Directorate, Seme Border, NAFDAC ‘s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola disclosed in a statement.
NAFDAC enforcement officers evacuated all equipment and materials used in the production of illicit drinks, and effectively shut down the illegal factory, the statement said.
Investigations revealed Mr. Okafor’s longstanding involvement in this criminal activity, which has potentially compromised regulated alcohol drinks in the Badagry area.
(The arrested alleged counterfeiters set to be prosecuted)
Mr. Okafor will face prosecution, and all offending products will be destroyed, with an estimated value exceeding fifty million naira (₦50,000,000).
Commenting on the evil of counterfeiting, NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye said that drinking adulterated alcohol could cause nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, drowsiness, and dizziness, blue tinged or pale skin, irregular or slow breathing, low body temperature, unconsciousness or passing out.
The NAFDAC Boss also stated that It could also lead to kidney and liver failure or even DEATH, explaining that Methanol, a substance which could be used in fake vodka, may also cause permanent blindness,
Prof. Adeyeye said that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had disclosed in their Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health that an estimated over three million people died all over the world as a result of alcohol poisoning.
Furthermore, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) ascertained that one of every 10 cancer cases in Nigeria could be traced to Alcohol and 4.7 percent of overall cancer cases in Nigeria in 2019 could be attributed to consumption of adulterated alcohol, she stated.
On the increasing NAFDAC success against counterfeiters, Prof. Adeyeye urged Nigerians to continue to assist the Agency with useful information, saying, ‘’The public is enjoined to report any suspicious activity of illegal producers of adulterated products or similar activities to the nearest NAFDAC office nationwide.’’
The NAFDAC Boss mphasised the need for public vigilance, urging citizens to always promptly report suspicious activities to safeguard public health.
She urged Nigerians to ”remain vigilant,” and should learn to always scrutinize branded drinks to distinguish them from counterfeits before consuming them.
”NAFDAC wishes to advise that members of the public should shine their eyes and think about the “4 Ps” before buying of alcohol,’: The 4Ps, she explained are:
Place: Only buy only NAFDAC registered drinks from reputable and licenced retailers, bars and supermarkets. Price: If the product is being sold well below its normal price, or doesn’t seem to include normal taxes on liquors, then it is probably fake.
Packaging: Check for poor quality packaging, spelling mistakes and unusually shaped bottles. Look for the contact information and address of the manufacturer. If it is missing, the alcohol is fake.
Inspect the seal on the bottle. If the seal is broken or damaged, then the contents might have been interfered with and are not safe to drink. Check for fake bar codes.
If you have an app on your mobile that scans bar codes, scan it and see if it’s listed as the correct product.Product: Beware of bad smells! If it smells like paint stripper or nail polish remover, then it probably is!
The Director- General reiterated that ”NAFDAC will continue to ensure that the level of counterfeit products nationwide is brought to the nearest minimum so that our people will continue to consume only healthy and safe products.” (Flowerbudnews)
