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Tag: NAFDAC

  • Ripening fruits with chemicals causes cancer, heart, kidney failure, others – NAFDAC cautions

    Ripening fruits with chemicals causes cancer, heart, kidney failure, others – NAFDAC cautions

    The National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cautioned Nigerian citizens to desist from using chemicals or other unnatural methods to ripen consumable fruits as it causes harmful irreversible health hazards.

    The Director-General of the agency, Mojisola Adeyeye, who spoke during the South- East Zone Media Sensitization Workshop on “the Dangers of Drug Hawking and Ripening of Fruits with Calcium Carbide” in Awka, Anambra State said the consumption of fruits ripened with calcium carbide may cause cancer, heart failure, kidney failure, and liver failure amongst other serious health problems.

    The DG NAFDAC whose message was delivered by the Director(Chemical) Evaluation and Research, DTR Leonard Omopariola titled “Danger of Artificial Ripening of fruits with Calcium Carbide”, would lead to considerable loss of properties such as colour, taste and feel, and such practice does not give the natural aroma and flavour to the fruits..

    “These fruits do not possess uniform colour and are less juicy than when ripened naturally and have comparatively shorter shelf life”. She also noted that such artistically aided ripening may be ripe on the skin(outside) while the inside remains unripe.

    More so, that such fruits ripened with calcium carbide could cause frequent thirst, irritation in mouth and nose, weakness, permanent skin damage, difficulty in swallowing, vomiting, and skin ulcer.

    Noting that fruits normally provide the body with micro nutrients that improve immunity and prevent diseases among other health benefits, the DG stated that the consumption of fruits ripened with calcium carbide would be harmful to one’s health instead.

    Adeyeye disclosed that calcium carbide generally contained impurities such as arsenic, lead particles, phosphorus, and others that pose several serious health hazards.

    She said, “You can identify such artificially ripened fruits if you notice that the fruits are all yellow whereas the stem is dark, this is true especially with banana and plantain. In addition, naturally ripened fruits usually have brown or black spots, while those artificially ripened have traces of powdery substances and peel off quickly.”

    She added that acetylene produced by calcium carbide affects the neurological system and reduces oxygen supply to the brain and further induces prolonged hypoxia.

    She said that these chemicals were hazardous to pregnant women and children and might lead to headaches, dizziness, mood disturbances, mental confusion, memory loss, swelling in the brain caused by excessive fluids, sleepiness, seizures, and others.

    The NAFDAC boss while urging citizens to remain cautious and vigilant whenever presented with fruits, however gave a hint that the agency had already commissioned a scientific study on the best approach towards mitigating the health hazards posed by ripening of fruits with carbides.

    The agency used the opportunity to remember its late premier Director General, Prof Dora Akunyili whose outstanding era gave a reassuring hope of standard practice to citizens as well as other nations, relating with Nigerian manufactured products.

    The Director(Public Affairs) of the agency, Dr Abubakar Jimoh whose emotion-laden remark reiterated that they would forever remember the outstanding activities of NAFDAC under Prof Akunyili

  • Drug hawkers constitute serious threat to national security – NAFDAC

    Drug hawkers constitute serious threat to national security – NAFDAC

    The Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye on Tuesday disclosed that drug Hawkers constitute serious threat to our national security, saying drug Hawkers are the major Distributors and Suppliers of narcotic medicines to criminal networks such as Armed Bandits, Insurgents, Kidnappers and Armed Robbers.

    Adeyeye also informed that the menace of drug hawking poses serious challenge to Healthcare Delivery System in the country and this underscored NAFDAC’s resolute determination to totally eradicate the illicit trade.

    NAFDAC Boss  during official flag-off of NAFDAC media sensitization workshop on dangers of drug hawking and ripening of fruits with carbide hinted that most of the drugs sold by the illiterate and semi-literate Drug Hawkers are counterfeit, substandard or expired, and therefore do not meet the quality, safety and efficacy reqkuirement of regulated medicines.

    She said many Drug Hawkers are knowingly or unknowingly merchants of Death who expose essential and Life Saving Medicines to the vagaries of inclement weather which degrade the active ingredients of the medicine and turn them to poisons thus endangering human lives.

    She expressed that drugs are sensitive life-saving commodities which should not be sold on the streets/motor parks or open markets just like any other article of trade.

    She also informed that ripening of fruits with carbides is another public challenge facing us today and the Agency has deployed a multifaceted approach to tackle the menace.

    “Fruits provide the body with micronutrients that improve immunity and prevent diseases among other benefits. Fruit ripening is a unique aspect of plant development, which makes the fruit edible, softer, sweeter, more palatable, nutritious, and attractive”.

    She However stated, the consumption of fruits such as mango, banana, plantain, guava, orange, grape, etc or any other fruits ripened with calcium carbide is dangerous to health.

    “Consumption of fruits containing these impurities may cause cancer, heart, kidney and liver failure. They may also cause frequent thirst, irritation in mouth and nose, weakness, permanent skin damage, difficulty in swallowing, vomiting, skin ulcer and Higher exposure may cause undesired fluid build-up in lungs (pulmonary oedema).
    “Acetylene produced by Calcium Carbide affects the neurological system and reduces oxygen supply to the brain and further induces prolonged hypoxia”.

    She said the impurities are hazardous to pregnant women and children and may lead to headache, dizziness, mood disturbances, mental confusion, memory loss, cerebral oedema (swelling in the brain caused by excessive fluids), sleepiness, seizure etc.

    Pro Adeyeye warned that any Drug Hawker arrested by NAFDAC will be prosecuted, will face a jail term, and our Enforcement Officers are currently carrying out synchronized nation-wide operation, adding that No offender will be spared from facing the full wrath of the Law.

    She solicited the co-operation and support of all other Law Enforcement Agencies, Nigerian Journalists and well-meaning Nigerians in riding the country of this harmful and shameful practice.

  • NAFDAC alerts Nigerians on contaminated sprite 50cl bottle

    NAFDAC alerts Nigerians on contaminated sprite 50cl bottle

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert to warn Nigerians about contaminated Sprite drink.

    NAFDAC in a statement notified the public of a batch of unwholesome Sprite 50cl glass bottles circulating in Nigeria.

    According to NAFDAC, “This product was discovered following a consumer complaint received and investigated by the post-marketing surveillance unit of the Agency.”

    On investigation, at the point of purchase and supplier’s address, over five (5) crates of the implicated batch of Sprite 50cl glass bottles were discovered to be contaminated with particles, according to NAFDAC.

    It said the affected batch of the unwholesome product has been sampled for laboratory analysis in the NAFDAC laboratory and the Agency has directed all zonal directors and state coordinators to carry out surveillance and mop up the implicated batch of the unwholesome product.

    “Similarly, a comprehensive current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) Inspection of the manufacturing site is to be carried out by the Agency, this is to find the route cause of the contamination and ensure compliance to marketing authorization,” NAFDAC said.

    Furthermore, the company, (Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (Abuja plant) has been directed to recall the implicated batch of the unwholesome product and report to NAFDAC for effective monitoring.

    The details of the products – Product name: Sprite 50cl glass bottles and Product manufacturer: Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (Abuja plant).

    NAFDAC implores distributors, retailers, and consumers to exercise caution and vigilance to avoid the consumption, sale, or distribution of the unwholesome product.

    The agency advised that the products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.

    Anyone in possession of the above-mentioned batch of Sprite 50cl glass bottles is advised to submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

    “If you, or someone you know, have consumed this product or suffered any adverse reaction/event after consumption, you are advised to seek immediate medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional,” the agency said.

    Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicion of distribution and sale of unwholesome packaged food products to the nearest NAFDAC office.

    Similarly, consumers are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the consumption of unwholesome packaged food products to the nearest NAFDAC office.

  • NAFDAC reveals outcome of investigation on noodles produced in Nigeria

    NAFDAC reveals outcome of investigation on noodles produced in Nigeria

    The National Agency of Food Drugs (NAFDAC) on Thursday said that noodles produced in the country did not contain Ethylene Oxide or its metabolism.

    Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, disclosed this at a media briefing organised to present the outcome of its investigation on whether noodles produced in the country contained ethylene oxide.

    Adeyeye said the investigation was occasioned by the recall of Indomie Instant Noodles Special Chicken Flavour by Malaysia and Taiwan, on account of the alleged presence of ethylene oxide, a compound associated with an increased risk of cancer.

    She said:” At the time of my initial press release on the issue, I assured the public that thorough investigation of the products would be conducted both at the factory and market levels and that our findings would be communicated.

    “As soon as we received the news of the product recalls in Malaysia and Taiwan, immediately I requested the Director, Food Safety and Applied Nutrition to carry out investigation and random sampling of Indomie instant noodles from the production facilities.

    “And extend the investigation to other brands of instant noodles offered for sale to Nigerians.

    “Imported noodles are not expected to be sold in Nigeria because NAFDAC does not register imported noodles as a result of the ban by the Nigerian government many years ago to foster local production.

    “Samples of chicken flavoured instant noodles of various brands and the seasonings were drawn from the production facilities across the country to ensure robust investigation.
    “A total of one hundred and fourteen (114) samples of instant noodles and the seasonings were received, while samples were also colleted from Lagos, Abuja and Kano”.

    According to Adeyeye, findings show that Ethylene oxide or its derivative was not found in any of the instant noodles produced in Nigeria and their seasonings.

    Adeyeye said: “The compound of interest, ethylene oxide, is a colourless, odourless gas that is used to sterilise medical devices and has been implicated as a cancer-causing chemical.

    “We did not only analyse for ethylene oxide and its derivative 2-chloroethanol in the noodles and seasonings, we also analysed for other contaminants such as mycotoxins and heavy metals in the samples”.

    The D-G explained that the delay in the analytical activities in the laboratory was not deliberate.

    She noted that the agency placed orders for the procurement and supply of certified reference materials (standards), reagents and chemicals from overseas.

    She reassured Nigerians that the agency would continue to remain proactive and committed to its responsibilities of protecting the health of the public.

  • NAFDAC alerts on expired energy drink

    NAFDAC alerts on expired energy drink

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has alerted the public on the distribution and sale of unregistered and expired G-Man organic energy drink.

    Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC, made this known while briefing journalists on Thursday in Lagos.

    She said that some of the perpetrators had been arrested, while two others are on the run.

    Adeyeye said the imported energy drink, manufactured in Germany, has expired, adding that the motive of the importers was to revalidate it for consumption.

    She said: “A case of importation, distribution and sale of unregistered and expired G-Man organic energy drink was investigated by NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate in Asaba, Delta state.

    “One Mr Okeke Udeze Francis of No 28 Otigba Crescent, G.R.A. Onitsha, Anambra state, was arrested with expired G-Man organic energy drink.

    “Further investigation led to a warehouse in Aba, Abia state, where evidence of revalidation of the expiry date of the drink was established.

    “The expiry dates on the products when imported were 18/12/2020 and 18/12/2022.”

    According to Adeyeye, the violative products were sent to Nigeria by one Mr Paschal Emeka Udo, who is said to be based in the United Kingdom.

    “The case was subsequently transferred to the office of the Director, Investigation and Enforcement Directorate in Lagos where Mr Okeke admitted to dealing on the product (G-Man energy drink).

    “He stated that he got the product from one Mr Uchenna Nwachi through one Mr Collins in Aba. Following this revelation, investigation was intensified to get the other suspects arrested.

    “Further investigation revealed that the violative G-Man energy drink was manufactured in Germany and was imported into Nigeria when some of the products were already expired, and some were close to expiration and later expired after importation.

    “Two of the suspects, including the importer of the products, are still at large and efforts are still on to arrest them while the suspects in custody will be charged to court,” she said.

    Adeyeye also said that one Emmanuel Obidike, Managing Director of TOMATcH Investment Limited in Onitsha, was arrested for counterfeit medicines, while a warehouse in Abuja was sealed for revalidation of expired animal premix.

    She said some of the medicine counterfeited by Mr Obidike included Combiart 20mg/120mg tablets, Combiart tabs secondary packaging materials, Augmentin tabs, Coartem tabs 20mg/120mg among others.

    Adeyeye said that the Marketing Authorisation Holders of the international brands confirmed that the products recovered from Obidike were not from their company and therefore were fake.

    Adeyeye said the sealed warehouse in Abuja belonged to Feed Avenue Limited in the IDU industrial area.

    According to her, goods worth N1.9 billion were found in the warehouse while the warehouse’s manager is currently in custody.

    She said products in warehouse were taken to NAFDAC’s laboratory for analysis after which appropriate sanction would be meted out to the company.

  • Board dissolution: FG exempts NDLEA, NAFDAC

    Board dissolution: FG exempts NDLEA, NAFDAC

    The Federal Government has exempted Boards of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) from the recent directive on the dissolution of governing boards of certain categories of government institutions.

    Mr Willie Bassey, Director Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    President Bola Tinubu had recently approved immediate dissolution of the Governing Boards of all Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies, Institutions and Government-Owned Companies.

    According to Bassey, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, has clarified that the boards of the NDLEA and the NAFDAC are exempted from such dissolution.

    “Further to the directive on the dissolution of Boards of Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies, Institutions and Government-owned Companies.

    “The Secretary to the Government of  the Federation has clarified that the Boards of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration & Control (NAFDAC) are exempted from such dissolution”.

  • NAFDAC begins nationwide mop-up of unregistered herbal medicines

    NAFDAC begins nationwide mop-up of unregistered herbal medicines

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it has started a nationwide mop-up of unregistered herbal medicines.

    The Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Monday.

    She said that the action followed a recent discovery of sale of uncertified, unregistered herbal medicines
    by Dr Salisu Sani Nawagini, popularky knwon as Baban Aisha, and others.

    Newsmen reports that the agency had on Wednesday, June 14, raided and sealed the production factory of Baban Aisha at Tarf, on Abuja-Kaduna road.

    Newsmen also reports that during the raid, a lot of items, including production equipment and raw materials were seized at the production factory of Baban Aisha by NAFDAC, where a woman who stood in for him (Baban Aisha) was arrested.

    Adeyeye, therefore, said the agency’s nationwide crackdown is on herbal medicines, especially those not registered with NAFDAC.

    She said that Baban Aisha had in 2018 received an application from Sacra Multi-Links Ltd for the registration of Sacra Herb oral liquid for the treatment of pile and associated pains.

    The NAFDAC boss said that the registration approval for the product expired on Sept. 12, 2019, which made Baban Aisha to apply for renewal on Aug. 12, 2020 following regulatory audit of the company’s production facility.

    She added that after this, compliance directives were issued to the company for non conformers observed in the facility as at the time of visit for which the company was expected to correct.

    Adeyeye said that the company however did not correct the lapses observed, Sacra Herb registration licence was not renewed, the agency did not also receive any application for advertisement of the medicine.

    She said that instead renewal of registration of the product, the company went beyond bound prescription for the medicine to convince Nigerians that it can also treat waist pains, typhoid, ulcer, toilet infection and others.

    The director-general said that social media outburst on the nefarious activities of Sacra Multi Links prompted the
    investigation and enforcement directorate of the agency to carry out surveillance and enforcement action which led to sealing of the factory.

    She appealed to Nigerians, particularly the vulnerable group, to desist from the use of dangerous herbal preparations.

    She reiterated NAFDAC’s determination to ensure that only safe and efficacious medicines, wholesome foods and
    quality regulated products are sold and used by Nigerians.

    Adeyeye solicited the support of health practitioners, community and religious leaders, the press and other
    stakeholder to continue to educate their wards and family members to desist from patronising quacks and
    hawkers of medicine on the streets.

  • NAFDAC bursts ‘Baban Aisha’ herbal factory

    NAFDAC bursts ‘Baban Aisha’ herbal factory

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Wednesday, burst Baban Aisha (a Local herbs producer) production factory in Tarfa community, along Kaduna-Abuja road.

    NAFDAC investigation and enforcement unit which carried out the operation along with its Kaduna state office,  stated that the operation followed a complain they received about the production factory.

    Mr. Umar Sulaiman, Team leader (Federal Task Force), Investigative and Enforcement, NAFDAC, said the operation was a normal routine work of the agency to safeguard the health of the nation.

    According to him, “We went into action after investigations, and had the factory raided. The factory is called Sacramultilink Ltd., owned by Dr Salisu Sani, Nawagini Baban Aisha, who sells herbal medicine.

    “We are all here for one purpose and that is to safeguard the health of the nation. Upon our arrival here, we found a lot of violation of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), production of herbal medicine with expired licence.

    “We also witnessed an illegal production of some of the products which has not been registered with NAFDAC, along with poor hygiene practices and that is why we took this step.

    “We are going to seal this place and arrest any responsible officer here. This facility was registered but for only one product then, NAFDAC registration number was issued to the man and since then we have not seen him again.

    “He had gone ahead to produce other products, placing the same approved number for a particular product on other products. This is not right, it is not in best practices,” Sulaiman said.

    He disclosed that officials from the state office also come for inspection, and that anytime they come, they would give directives to the factory and it will comply, but after some time, the factory will go back to it normal sharp practices.

    Sulaiman stated that the renovation going on the factory may have been due to a viral video going round, compiled by one investigative journalist that Baban Aisha was producing substandard local herbs.

    Mr. Nasiru Mato, State Coordinator, NAFDAC, Kaduna state, disclosed that the listing status of Baban Aisha product expired since 2018, and that he came for the renewal of the product licence.

    Mato said that upon Baban Aisha’s arrival to the agency office in Kaduna, he was given some compliance paper to fill before the renewal and approval.

    He said that the agency’s officials were at the factory upon the complain received on the same product, adding that the product had fallen below GMP, standard and below expectation of consumers.

    “So under this condition, we had no option than to seal the entire premises, evacuate all related equipment and facilities used for production.

    “GMP is a criteria for product registration, it must meet laid down standard,” Mato said.

    According to reports, some of the equipment which NAFDAC moved away from the factory are one HD injection polythene 25kg, and one HDPE polythene 25kg.

    It also took away sacks with labels, Hana big box scale, speakers used in advertising the products, work master heat gun, and packaging bottles.

    Others are three pieces of portrait photograph, three copies of sales book, two packet of receipt booklet and four burning kettles.

    NAN

  • NAFDAC raids 15 supermarkets in Minna

    NAFDAC raids 15 supermarkets in Minna

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raided 15 supermarkets in Minna, sealing one and confiscating many expired commodities.

    Mr Shaba Mohammed, Director, North Central, disclosed on Thursday during the exercise in Minna: “We are here to conduct some raids on some supermarkets in Minna.

    “So far we have covered 15 supermarkets in Minna. In all we discovered violative items which have been evacuated. We also discovered unregistered products and others which have expired with the dates changed”.

    Mohammed explained that some of the items included tea, baked beans beverages and other food consumables.

    “There was one particular supermarket with very poor hygiene, poor warehousing to the extent that they were storing some of their products in the toilet.

    “We had no alternative than to evacuate everything and the supermarket was sealed,” he said.

    He said that the owner of the sealed supermarket and other suspects were invited to Abuja and Kaduna for further investigation.

    The director said that the products confisticated would be taken to the laboratory for detailed analysis to enable it to prosecute the suspects accordingly.

    He said that the violators would be made to pay fines or face prosecution and the products destroyed, to protect public health.

    Mohammed advised the public to always read the label on any products they purchased to verify the NAFDAC registration number and expiration date because some of them could be cleaned and reprinted.

    Also, Mr James Kigbu, the State Coordinator, NAFDAC, said that the agency was on routine exercise to protect public health.

    “This is part of our activities to carry out regulatory functions,” he said.

    It was observed that during the raid that some of the supermarkets packed items meant for sale to unsuspecting members of the public on the floor of dirty warehouses infested with rodents that could endanger public health, instead of packing them on pallets for protection.

    The North Central zone of the agency comprises Niger, Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue and Plateau states.

  • 70 per cent of food exports from Nigeria rejected abroad-NAFDAC

    70 per cent of food exports from Nigeria rejected abroad-NAFDAC

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has said that over 70 per cent of food exports from Nigeria are rejected abroad, with huge financial losses to exporters.

    The Director General,Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye disclosed this yesterday in a press statement signed by NAFDAC’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola.

    Adeyeye, however, said the rejection in some European countries and the United States of America may soon become a thing of the past, if collaboration between the agency and other government agencies at ports is strengthened.

    The NAFDAC boss made the assertion, over the weekend, at official commissioning of the new NAFDAC office complex for the Murtala Muhammed International Airport/Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc, Lagos.

    Adeyeye said the deplorable state of export trade facilitation for regulated products leaving the country has remained a serious cause of concern for her agency, adding that a trip to NAFDAC export warehouses within the international airport would explain the major reason for continued rejection of Nigerian exports abroad.

    She noted that the agency is responding to the challenge by initiating a collaborative venture with government agencies at the ports, to ensure goods are of requisite quality and meet the regulatory requirements of importing countries and destinations.

    According to her, this raises the need for more enhanced regulation of export-packaging, pre-shipment testing and certification, to provide quality assurance and minimise rejects.

    To save Nigeria’s reputation in international commerce, Adeyeye called on all stakeholders in export trade to see this as a call to duty and collaborate with NAFDAC.

    “The mandate to safeguard the health of the populace through ensuring that food, medicines, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals and packaged water are safe, efficacious and of the right quality in an economy that is overwhelmingly dependent on importation of the bulk of its finished products and raw materials could never have been actualised without effective presence of NAFDAC at the ports and land borders.”

    She applauded the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for the symbiotic relationship that exists between its management and the agency, saying: “Without Customs, we will not be able to do a lot of what we have been able to do.