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  • NAFDAC warns Nigerians against storing food in chemical containers

    By Chimezie Anaso

    Awka, The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against storing food in containers formerly used for chemical products.

    Prof. Christiana Adeyeye, the Director General of NAFDAC, gave the warning on Thursday during a sensitisation campaign in Onitsha, Anambra.

    Adeyeye, who was represented by Mrs Ngozi Onuora, Director of Chemical Evaluation and Research Directorate, said such containers harboured carcinogenic substances, which would not be scrubbed by washing and could develop harmful effects for humans in the long run.

    The DG, who led the team of NAFDAC top management to the palace of HRH Igwe Alfred Achebe, the traditional ruler of Onitsha, said a well informed society would address the effects of drug abuse.

    “It is harmful to use kerosene tankers to load groundnut oil, to use potassium bromate to bake bread so as to improve the dough and to dyes to redden palm oil,” she said.

    Adeyeye called on Nigerians to stop buying medicines from hawkers, but patronise approved medicine shops which are under the agency’s regulatory purview.

    She said the awareness campaign, which would last for three days, was aimed at sensitising youths on the dangers of  consuming codeine, tramadol, and their abuse, as well as the harm caused by other dangerous drugs to their health.

    “We also advise market women to desist from using chemicals to quicken the ripening of fruits, like plantains and bananas, because it is dangerous  to health,” she said.

    She called on traditional institutions to use their reach with the grassroots to help NAFDAC achieve optimal results in the quest for a society free of drug abuse and unwholesome products.

    In his response, Igwe Achebe expressed worry over the increasing cases of drug abuse, particularly among youths in the state, saying that Onitsha had zero tolerance for drug trafficking and it employs effective community-based approaches to tackle the menace.

    Achebe said he had directed the demolition of two buildings housing illegal drug users in the past, but that there was the need for the Police and other related agencies in charge of drug control to complement these efforts.

    The traditional ruler said beyond the prevalence of drug abuse among youths on the streets, investigation had revealed that most people who used motorcycles to peddle drugs ended up in the barracks.

    “The rate at which the youths in the area engaged in the selling and consumption of illicit drugs is worrisome.

    “There is a need for the restoration of societal core values to enable the people avoid engagement in drugs abuse.

    “I believe that people engaged in meaningful activities cannot go into illicit drug consumption, that is why as a community, we are working hard to ensure that youths are trained on, skills including ICT,” he said.

    Achebe pledged to partner with the agency to ensure a drastic reduction of the sale and consumption of illicit drugs.

    The event included a lecture and  road show that took the team around the commercial city of Onitsha. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng) Flowerbudnews

     

  • NAFDAC commences campaign against unwholesome foods, substandard products in Kwara

    NAFDAC commences campaign against unwholesome foods, substandard products in Kwara

    By Flowerbud News

    Sept 9, 2021

    National Agency for Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday in Ilorin commenced a sensitisation campaign against unwholesome foods and other products with negative health implications on the populace.

    NAFDAC Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, in her keynote address said the public awareness campaign was one of the veritable regulatory mechanisms put in place by the agency to promote and protect the health of the masses.

    Adeyeye, represented by NAFDAC Zonal Coordinator for North Central, Mrs Bolaji Abayomi, said the first phase of the scheme would hold in eight states of the federation.

    “The event is another major milestone in our bid to protect Nigerians against the deleterious effects of unwholesome food, falsified medical products, Harmful Cosmetics, Poor Water and other substandard regulated products.

    “The key objective of this sensitization programme is to intensify and expand the scope of our informal and formal behaviour change communication strategies in order to reach the vulnerable communities especially at the grassroots.

    “Dissemination of Food and Drug safety information is an important aspect of our regulatory work,” the DG said.

    Adeyeye acknowledged that Nigeria has a preponderant share of the global problem of falsified medical products and unwholesome foods.

    “The advent of COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated the problem with the challenge posed by substandard and falsified Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs).

    “The sensitization campaigns will therefore contribute significantly to Federal Government’s concerted efforts to inform, sensitize, educate and alert the public about inherent dangers of intake and use of those spurious regulated products,” she added.

    The D-G said the campaign themes were multifaceted with clear, concise, informative and educative messages.

    This, she said was aimed at arousing the awareness and consciousness of the general public about the various infractions that impact negatively on the country’s healthcare delivery system.

    Adeyeye said the campaign would address 12 public health challenges such as dangers of buying medicines from hawkers.

    She said patients were advised to buy medicines from only licensed pharmacies and medicine stores as medicines sold by hawkers have been exposed to too extreme weather conditions.

    She listed the theme to include abuse of Codeine and self-medication especially among youths, the dangerous effects of using Kerosene tanker to load groundnut oil and dangerous practice of using potassium bromate to bake bread.

    Others, she said were: use of Azo-dyes in palm oil which causes cancer, dangers of using Sniper to preserve any type of food or to keep flies away from meat and dangers of consumption of excessive oil.

    Adeyeye listed use of formalin on food and its associated health hazards, low level of exclusive breastfeeding practice by lactating mothers and its associated health hazards as parts of the themes of the campaign.

    “I am pleased to inform you that the mass media, vibrant youth organisations and civil societies in the pilot states will be in the forefront of the sensitization campaigns.

    “The target audiences are market women and men, road transport workers and employers, community youth organisations and students.

    “It is our expectation that at the end of the campaigns, the participants and target audiences would become dependable partners and allies of NAFDAC.

    “They will be in the forefront of sustaining the public awareness campaigns by disseminating the information and messages to the Grassroots.

    “Our ultimate goal is to ensure that the various communities take ownership of the care and management of their own health,” she added.

    The DG vowed that NAFDAC under her watch would leave no stone unturned in concerted efforts to rid the country of the menace of falsified medical products, unwholesome foods, harmful cosmetics, poorly packaged water and other substandard regulated products.

    NAN

  • NAFDAC arrests Hawkers of Sex Enhancing Herbal Drugs in Sokoto

    By Habibu Harisu

    Sokoto, NAFDAC has arrested 24 hawkers and retailers of unregistered aphrodisiacs – sex enhancing herbal medicines – in Sokoto.

    Its coordinator, Malam Garba Adamu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday that NAFDAC also impounded six vehicles and public address systems used in selling the products and some counterfeit medicines.

     

    He said the consignment valued at about N2 million were seized in markets and on the streets of Sokoto metropolis.

     

    He noted that the items confiscated would be subjected to tests and persons involved would be sanctioned to serve as deterrent to others peddlers.

     

    Adamu said that the exercise was in line with recent pronouncements by NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, that hawking of herbal drugs under scorching sun could cause decomposition of their active ingredients risking users’ health.

     

    He enjoined members of the public to be wary of what they consumed and monitor any unregistered item; desist from patronising the products and hawkers so as to support NAFDAC in safeguarding their health.

     

    According to him, the agency’s officials intensified surveillance and inspection in Sokoto and Kebbi states to ensure quality of products and services.

     

    He added that the operations would be sustained until the sector is sanitised and appealing to herbal medicine practitioners to always abide by government’s regulations in their practice and business in the interest of their patrons.

     

    Adamu reiterated NAFDCA’s commitment to sustaining the effort in accordance with its mandates. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

  • NAFDAC warns against consumption of Alpha male plus male enhancer fruit chews

    By Aderogba George

    Abuja,  The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cautioned Nigerians on the use of Alpha male plus male enhancer fruit chews, due to undeclared content of the product.

     

    The warning was contained in a public Alert No. 030/2021, which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, in Abuja.

     

    The agency also warned Nigerians to be cautious against taking Alpha male plus dietary Supplement, as the US-FDA was recalling the product due to the presence of undeclared Tadalafil and Sildenafil in them.

     

    NAFDAC stated in the alert that it had been informed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA) that Tucson, AZ, Alpha Male Plus is voluntarily recalling all lots of unexpired Alpha Male Plus male enhancer fruit chews.

     

    The agency  said that the recall had become necessary because the result of recent analysis by FDA found the product to contain undeclared tadalafil, an ingredient known as a phosphodiesterase (PDE-5) inhibitor found in FDA approved product for the treatment of male erectile dysfunction.

     

    “The presence of tadalafil in Alpha male plus male enhancer renders the product an unapproved drug for which safety and efficacy have not been established.

     

    “Alpha male plus male enhancer fruit chew is marketed as a dietary supplement for male sexual enhancement and sold online.

     

    “The possible risk is that the undeclared tadalafil ingredient may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs, such as nitro-glycerine, and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels that may be life threatening.

     

    “People with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates.

     

    “Consumers with underlying medical issues who take Alpha male plus male enhancer with undeclared tadalafil may experience serious health risks as the PDE-5 inhibitors may interact with nitrates found in some of their prescription drugs,’’ the alert warned.

     

    NAFDAC, therefore, implored consumers to stop the purchase and use of Alpha male plus, stressing that members of the public in possession of the product are advised to handover it to the nearest NAFDAC office.

     

    The agency also called on patients to contact their physician or healthcare provider, if they have experienced any problems that may be related to using the implicated product.

     

    NAFDAC also encouraged healthcare professionals, consumers and patients to report any noticed adverse effects related to the use of this product to the nearest NAFDAC office or contact NAFDAC PRASCOR (20543 TOLLS FREE from all networks).

     

    It added that Nigerians could also report via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng, e-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website or via the Med-safety application available for download on android and IOS stores. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng) Flowerbudnews

  • NAFDAC cautions consumers on Slimming product

     

    By Aderogba George
    Abuja, The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has implored consumers to stop using Miss Slim dietary supplement products.
    The agency gave the caution in a public alert with number 032/2021, issued by the Director General, Prof. Moji Adeyeye in Abuja on Tuesday.
    It noted that the agency had been informed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that “Palisades Park, NJ, HIS is voluntarily recalling all lots and all presentations of the products.
    “Palisades Park HIS issued this voluntary recall of Miss Slim of both 10 count and 30 count capsules due to the presence of undeclared Sibutramine in the product.
    “The presence of Sibutramine in Miss Slim renders it an unapproved drug for which safety and efficacy has not been established and therefore subject to a recall.

    “Products containing Sibutramine pose a threat to consumers because it is known to substantially increase blood pressure.

    “Sibutramine may also present significant risk for patients with history of Coronary Artery Disease, Congestive Heart Failure, Arrhythmia or Stroke.

    “The product is sold online at missslimusa.com,” the alert disclosed.

    NAFDAC, therefore, implored consumers to stop the purchase and use of Miss Slim, adding that “members of the public in possession of the product are to handover to the nearest NAFDAC office.”

    The agency also called on patients to contact their physicians or healthcare providers if they have experienced any problems that may be related to using the product.

    It encouraged healthcare professionals, consumers and patients to report any adverse events related to the use of the product to the nearest NAFDAC office.

    It urged the public to report any adverse effect to NAFDAC PRASCOR (20543 TOLLS FREE from all networks) or via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng.
    The public are also advised to make their report through E-reporting platforms available on  NAFDAC website or via the Med- safety application available for download on android and IOS stores. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

  • NAFDAC warns against reddening palm oil with Azo dye

    By Aderogba George

    Abuja,  The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cautioned tanker drivers against using kerosene tankers to carry groundnut oil.

     

    The NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye,  who gave the warning on Tuesday in Abuja, said that the agency got information to that effect.

    Adeyeye was represented by Mrs Ngozi Onuorah, NAFDAC’s  Director of  Chemical Evaluation and Research.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that  Adeyeye spoke at the ongoing nationwide sensitisation campaign by NAFDAC against substandard foods and drugs.

    She said that  using kerosene tanker to load groundnut oil for human consumption was dangerous to public health.

    She said: “Using kerosene tankers to load groundnut oil after empting it is dangerous to public health.

    ” People do it to make money at the expense of public health; they cut corners but NAFDAC is saying no to this.

    “It is not permissible. If this is based on ignorance or it is an act of making money at the expense of Nigerians,  it must stop.

    “This is commonsensical: you don’t need a scientist to tell you that this is wrong.”

    The director-general noted that petrol and kerosene had chemical components.

    “You can’t be playing with an item that people consume.

    “Even in our various homes, we  cannot  use the container for kerosene to fetch water to drink,” she said.

    Adeyeye called on Nigerians to be vigilant and report any driver indulging in the act to relevant authorities.

    The NAFDAC boss also warned market women against using Azo-dye to make palm oil more reddish.

    She  urged attitudinal change that would promote public health

    According to her,  these illegal and criminal practices can result in cancer, liver damage, kidney failure as well as  damage to other  organs of the body.

    “We are drawing the attention of Nigerians so  that they will be careful.

     

    “When they see something that is too reddish, they must establish some level of suspicion,” Adeyeye said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

  • NAFDAC warns against consumption of Some U.S. infant formulas

    NAFDAC warns against consumption of Some U.S. infant formulas

    By Aderogba George

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians to stop consuming and distributing infant formulas manufactured by Able Groupe, a U.S. based company.

    The infant formulas from the company were said to have insufficient iron levels and did not meet up with other requirements of the US Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA).

    A statement issued by the NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, disclosed that the agency had received information from the US-FDA on the recall of certain infant Formulas.

    She said that the recalled products were sold under the brand names HiPP, Holle, Bioland and Kendamil, adding that they were recalled because the required pre-market notifications for these new infant formulas had not been submitted to the FDA.

    Adeyeye identified the Able Groupe’s products, to include HiPP comfort milk formula, HiPP Dutch stage 1 combiotic Infant milk formula, HiPP HA Germany hypoallergenic stage pre combiotic infant milk formula.

    Also, Holle Bio Stage 1 organic infant milk formula, Holle Bio stage pre organic infant milk formula, Lebenswert Anfangsmilch stage 1 organic infant milk formula, and HiPP UK stage 1 Combiotic first infant milk formula.

    She said that the products contained less than one milligram of iron per 100 calories, and that the eight infant formula product labels failed to have the required ingredient, including not being labelled as required by Code of Federal Regulations Title 21 (21 CFR 107.10 and 107.20).

    Adeyeye said that the recalled products were intended as a complete or partial substitute for human milk for children aged 12 months and below, but by containing less than one milligram (1mg) of iron per 100 calories may not provide adequate iron for some infants, particularly infants born prematurely or with a low birth weight.

    Similarly, they may also not be suitable for those who have low iron levels at birth, or those who are at risk for becoming iron deficient due to illness.

    She explained that inadequate intake of iron at infancy may lead to anaemia, iron deficiency which, if untreated, has irreversible cognitive and functional development outcomes.

    “Infant formula products that contain less than one milligram of iron per 100 calories are required to include a statement on the label indicating that additional iron may be necessary.

    “NAFDAC implores importers, distributors, retailers and consumers, who have these products in storage to stop distribution, sale and use of these recalled products.

    “NAFDAC encourages consumers and health care professionals to report adverse events related to the use of these recalled products to the nearest NAFDAC office,” she said.

    The public are also advised to report any issue relating to these infant formulas to NAFDAC PRASCOR (20543 TOLLS FREE from all networks) or via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng or NAFDAC Med Safety Mobile App. (NAN)/ Flowerbudnews

  • Salary Claims: NAFDAC Wins Against Former Staff

    Salary Claims: NAFDAC Wins Against Former Staff

    By Glory Abuh-Adejoh

    Abuja:  The National Industrial Court, Abuja, on Monday dismissed a suit filed by Ndubueze Uchechukwu, an employee of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for lacking in merit.

    Uchechukwu had filed a suit against NAFDAC, challenging the agency’s decision to unofficially stop the payment of his salary in November 2011, even though he was never sacked and his pension scheme was still running.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Zaynab Bashir held that NAFDAC legitimately stopped the payment of the claimant’s salary, when he stopped working on Dec.9, 2010.

    The Judge further held that the claimant did not deserve any salary payment from March 2012 to date, as claimed, noting that the basis for salary was work.

    Justice Bashir, therefore, dismissed the case for lacking in merit, stressing that the defendant did not resume work in Maiduguri as directed by his employer.

    1. “Bearing the foregoing in mind, I r byeckon that there are other employees of the defendant in the said Maiduguri and I cannot agree any less with the counsel to the defendant.

    “In all, what is deducible from the combination of Exhibits, which are  the letters written by the claimant to the DG, is that the claimant had stayed away from work since Dec.9, 2010.

    “He did not resume at the Maiduguri office at all and also stopped working at the Port Harcourt office where he was before the posting,” the judge ruled.

    The claimant had averred that he had yet to recover from the traumatic effect of a kidnap incident when he was hurriedly transferred to Maiduguri.

    He had also posited that due to the fear of a repeat of the kidnap incident, he did not resume in Maiduguri, upon which he was queried.

    The claimant’s counsel, N. Choko, had in his submission averred that the defendant was duty bound to provide a safe working environment for his client.

    Choko had further argued that the defendant ought not to have forced a traumatised staff into a war zone.

    He had also urged the court to grant all the reliefs sought by his client, since he was not sacked officially by NAFDAC.

    NAFDAC’s counsel, M. Abutu, had in his submission, objected to the suit on the ground that the suit was an abuse of court process, as the claimant had filed another suit which was pending at the Federal High Court.

    Abutu also submitted that the failure of the claimant to serve a pre-action notice made the suit to lack merit and urged the court to dismiss it.

    He had further argued that the conduct of the claimant was a willful disobedience to the lawful directive of his employer, stressing that he was aware of the implication of such disobedience.(NAN) (www.nannews.org)/ Flowerbudnews

  • NAFDAC tackles substandard packaged water in Kaduna –Nasiru Mato

    NAFDAC tackles substandard packaged water in Kaduna –Nasiru Mato

     

    By Stella Kabruk
    Kaduna, The National Agency for Food, Drug and Administration (NAFDAC) says it will  intensify efforts at tackling issues of substandard packaged water in Kaduna, according to the agency’s state coordinator, Nasiru Mato.
    Mato told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview on Friday, in Kaduna, that the problem was to be blamed on some manufacturers operating without good manufacturing equipment.
    “We have observed some packaged water carelessly sold in the markets, in disregard to basic good  manufacturing practices required to guarantee quality packaging.
    “Those who do not comply with the specifications, will not be allowed to toy around with the health of consumers,” he said.
    He added that the agency would continue its surveillance and routine checks, to ensure adherence by packaged water manufacturers in the state, urging residents to only drink packaged water that had a label and date on them.
    In addition, Mato said that packaged water was only fit for consumption within two months of production, pointing out that the agency’s continuous efforts at updating manufacturers on critical aspects of good manufacturing and sanitation had been very useful in making them maintain standards.
    “We will also remain steadfast in advising the manufacturers on post-production handling of the products”, he said.
    He added that the rise in temperature in the country, because of the impending dry season, could mean more demand for water in the coming days, so the agency would intensify its monitoring to ensure hygienic packaged water for citizens to consume.
    “NAFDAC in Kaduna will continue to work around the clock, to ensure that manufacturers of regulated products in the state do their businesses in compliance with laid down standards, procedures and requirements.
    ” If there are any major or critical lapses and violations, which tend to compromise standards of product quality, then we will have no option but to apply the appropriate sanctions,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews