By Ogbitse Meyiwa
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is working tirelessly to eradicate counterfeit and illegal products, which are rampant in Nigeria. Every day, illegal factories and clandestine facilities are discovered producing unsafe and unhealthy drinks and other consumables that are harmful to public health, often imitated by unlicensed individuals.
Recently, NAFDAC shut down an illegal wine production site operating from a residential building in Lugbe, Abuja. This site was used to counterfeit various imported wine brands, complete with preprinted date markings for market distribution, making it difficult for consumers to distinguish between genuine and fake products.
The operation was led by Pharm. Mohammed Shaba, a seasoned food and drug regulator with over 30 years of experience and an esteemed international administrator. He gained access to the property through legal means, where they discovered ready-to-market wine products and packaging materials. Although the suspects were not present during the raid, they were later summoned for thorough questioning.
Pharm. Shaba urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious products or activities to their nearest NAFDAC office to help ensure public safety.