The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intensified its regulatory oversight in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with the closure of two Chinese supermarkets located in the Jabi District and eight cosmetics shops at Wuse Market, for flagrant violation of extant laws governing the sale, distribution, and labelling of regulated products in Nigeria.
The enforcement exercise which was carried out on Friday morning by NAFDAC Investigation and Enforcement Directorate and members of the Federal Taskforce on Counterfeit and Substandard Medicines, and Unwholesome Processed Foods in Abuja, was led by Mr. Musa Embugushiki, an Assistant Chief Regulatory Officer.
The supermarkets, situated on Mike Akhigbe Way and Ebitu Ukiwe Street in Jabi District, were sealed following credible consumer complaints and subsequent surveillance by NAFDAC Enforcement Team, which revealed that the operators were engaged in the sale of unregistered food items and products labelled exclusively in Chinese language, contrary to NAFDAC’s mandatory labelling policy requiring English translations for the Nigerian market and regulatory understanding.
A statement by the deputy director (PR/Protocol) NAFDAC headquarters, Abuja, Mr. Adegboyega Osiyemi, noted that despite initial resistance and denials by the foreign national at Ebitu Ukiwe street that the supermarket is yet to commence operation, the enforcement team confirmed that the outlet was in full operation and selling unregistered regulated products.
In addition, eight cosmetics shops within Wuse Market were also sealed for the sale of banned, expired, and unregistered cosmetics, aphrodisiacs, and aesthetic medicines.
Investigations revealed that certain individuals had been illegally presenting themselves as Dermatologists and Pharmacists, prescribing and selling harmful products to unsuspecting consumers under the guise of body enhancement, skin whitening, aesthetic improvement for ladies and manpower for men.
Some of the cosmetics products seized include; Wenicks Capsules, Maxman Capsules, Boobs Enlargement, Curvy Weight Gain, Skin Whitening Vitamin Gummies, Collagen, Royal Jelly, Glutathone Whitening Gummies, White doll, Dr. Gallery Plus, Maiz Zaki Syrup, Original Herbal Yellow fever, Sickle Cell Medicine, Dr. Nafisa Herbal Medicine, Dynewell Syrup, White Blinks and so on.
Acting on the directive of the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, the enforcement team confiscated and evacuated the offending products worth over ₦170 million.
Embugushiki reiterated the Agency’s mandate to protect the health of Nigerians against exposure to dangerous chemicals and toxic substances which are linked to serious health risks, including skin cancer, kidney damage, irritability, and memory loss.
While reaffirming its commitment to enforcing compliance with NAFDAC regulations, the agency advises Nigerian consumers to patronise only products duly registered by NAFDAC.
The agency also advises foreign nationals and investors intending to import or market products in Nigeria to visit NAFDAC offices nationwide for product registration and regulatory guidance, while urging members of the public to report suspicious sales outlets or products to the nearest NAFDAC offices.
Embugushiki stated that the NAFDAC welcomes legitimate trade partnerships from both Nigerians and foreign nationals, but would not compromise on public health, warning that any act of selling unregistered or toxic products shall be met with strict regulatory action.