NAFDAC shuts down 150 shops at Abia market over ‘production, distribution of counterfeit products’

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down 150 shops at Eziukwu market in Aba, Abia state.

In a statement on Wednesday, NAFDAC said its operatives shut down the shops during a two-day operation on December 16 and 17.

The agency said the team uncovered a large-scale production and distribution of fake and expired goods, which were destroyed during the operation.

The fake products include beverages, carbonated drinks, wines, spirits, vegetable oils, and revalidated food items such as noodles, powdered milk, and yoghurt.

VIDEO: NAFDAC shuts down market in Abia over 'fake, expired products worth N5bn' pic.twitter.com/n1KqGWEIRj

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According to the statement, the items that were destroyed worth N5 billion.

Martins Iluyomade, the south-east zonal director of NAFDAC, expressed dismay at the continued illegal activities at the market, despite a previous undertaking signed by the leaders in December 2023 to expose counterfeiters.

Iluyomade described the market as a hub for counterfeit and substandard products.

“The NAFDAC DG, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, reaffirms the agency’s zero tolerance for such practices and emphasises its unwavering commitment to safeguarding public health while working toward a permanent solution to the problem of counterfeit products in the market,” he said.

Earlier this month, NAFDAC raided a makeshift factory in Oke Arin market on Lagos Island used for the production of alcoholic beverages.

Three men were apprehended while various counterfeit alcoholic drinks, empty bottles, and packaging materials were seized.