The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control has taken action by closing down three assorted raw food warehouses in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, due to the illegal rebagging of rice. NAFDAC’s Coordinator in Ekiti State, Mrs. Stella Dosumu, revealed that the warehouses were shut down for various violations aimed at deceiving the public. This move aligns with the agency’s commitment to combat counterfeit and substandard products in the country.
The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, emphasized that individuals involved in illegal trade of regulated products will not escape scrutiny. Dosumu disclosed that the closure of the warehouses followed a report from a concerned citizen about the unauthorized repackaging of rice. Upon investigation, the NAFDAC team found evidence of empty bags of various rice brands and machines used for packaging in the warehouses.
The managers of the warehouses refused to divulge the source of the rice being repackaged, raising concerns about the rice’s quality and labeling accuracy. Samples of the rebagged rice were collected for laboratory analysis while the warehouses remain closed pending further regulatory actions based on the test results. NAFDAC reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of food and drugs in Nigeria and warned against activities that jeopardize public health.