By Bavoriat Clara
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed two Chinese supermarkets and eight cosmetics shops in Abuja for violating laws regulating the sale, distribution, and labeling of products in Nigeria.
In a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Public Relations and Protocol, Mr. Adegboyega Osiyemi, the agency said the enforcement exercise was carried out by officials from the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate in collaboration with members of the Federal Task Force on Counterfeit and Substandard Medicines and Unwholesome Processed Foods. The operation, led by Assistant Chief Regulatory Officer, Mr. Musa Embugushiki, took place on Friday in various parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
The affected supermarkets, located on Mike Akhigbe Way and Ebitu Ukiwe Street in Jabi District, were shut down following credible consumer complaints and subsequent surveillance that confirmed the sale of unregistered food items and products labelled exclusively in Chinese language. This, according to NAFDAC, contravenes its labeling regulations, which mandate English translations on all products marketed in Nigeria.
Despite initial denials by one of the operators claiming the store had not yet commenced business, enforcement officers confirmed that the outlet was fully operational and selling unregistered products.
In a related operation, eight cosmetics shops within Wuse Market were sealed for selling banned, expired, and unregistered cosmetics, aphrodisiacs, and aesthetic medicines. NAFDAC said some of the operators were found to be posing as dermatologists and pharmacists, prescribing and selling harmful products to unsuspecting consumers for body enhancement, skin whitening, and other aesthetic purposes.
Among the confiscated products were Wenicks Capsules, Maxman Capsules, Boobs Enlargement Cream, Curvy Weight Gain, Skin Whitening Vitamin Gummies, Collagen, Royal Jelly, Glutathione Whitening Gummies, White Doll, Dr. Gallery Plus, Maiz Zaki Syrup, Original Herbal Yellow Fever, Sickle Cell Medicine, Dr. Nafisa Herbal Medicine, Dynewell Syrup, and White Blinks, among others.
The agency said the seized products, estimated at over ₦170 million, were evacuated on the directive of the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye. Prof. Adeyeye reiterated the agency’s commitment to protecting the health of Nigerians from exposure to hazardous chemicals and toxic substances that can cause serious health issues such as skin cancer, kidney damage, irritability, and memory loss.
NAFDAC urged Nigerians to buy only products registered by the agency and advised foreign investors intending to market products in the country to seek proper regulatory guidance from NAFDAC offices nationwide.
According to Mr. Embugushiki, Prof. Adeyeye emphasized that while the agency welcomes legitimate business partnerships from both local and foreign investors, it will not compromise on public health.
“Any act of selling unregistered or toxic products will be met with strict regulatory action,” he warned.
The agency also encouraged the public to report any suspicious products or sales outlets to the nearest NAFDAC office for prompt investigation.
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