The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has raised the alarm over the growing incidence of smuggling, sale, and distribution of regulated food products currently found in markets across the country.

The agency disclosed this in a statement signed by the agency’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, on Saturday in Abuja.

NAFDAC said the products—pasta, noodles, sugar, and tomato paste—are expressly listed on the Federal Government’s Customs Prohibition List and are not permitted for importation.

The statement read In part, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised an alarm over the growing incidence of smuggling, sale, and distribution of regulated food products such as pasta, noodles, sugar, and tomato paste currently found in markets across the country.

“These products are expressly listed on the Federal Government’s Customs Prohibition List and are not permitted for importation.

“NAFDAC warns that the circulation of such prohibited items violates national trade laws, undermines the integrity of the country’s food control system, and poses significant risks to public health, as these products have not undergone the Agency’s mandatory safety evaluation and quality assurance processes,” the statement read.

The agency directed all importers, supermarket operators, open market traders, and other stakeholders in the food supply chain to immediately cease the importation, sale, and distribution of all products on the Customs Prohibition List.

“All importers, supermarket operators, open market traders, and other stakeholders in the food supply chain are hereby directed to immediately cease the importation, sale, and distribution of all products on the Customs Prohibition List,” it added.

It warned that failure to comply would attract strict enforcement actions, including seizure and destruction of prohibited goods, suspension or revocation of operational licences, and prosecution in accordance with relevant laws.

“Stakeholders are further advised to ensure full compliance with NAFDAC regulations and to promptly notify their supply chain partners to discontinue any transactions involving these items. Failure to comply will attract strict enforcement actions, including seizure and destruction of prohibited goods, suspension or revocation of operational licences, and prosecution in accordance with relevant laws,” it added.

NAFDAC also called on relevant government agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Shippers Council, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Nigerian Ports Authority, and Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, to work collaboratively to enforce the prohibition of these unsafe products.

The agency urged stakeholders to cooperate fully with its efforts, adding that it remained committed to safeguarding the health of Nigerians and ensuring strict adherence to regulatory standards.

“NAFDAC remains committed to safeguarding the health of Nigerians and ensuring strict adherence to regulatory standards. Stakeholders are urged to cooperate fully with the Agency’s efforts. For further inquiries, please contact the Post-Marketing Surveillance Division at pms@nafdac.gov.ng,” it added. (The PUNCH)

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