NAFDAC’s recent crackdown on counterfeit wine factories and other items in Abia has sparked widespread reactions among Nigerians on X.
Many users are expressing concern over the lapse in the agency’s oversight as well as SON, questioning how the proliferation of fake products reached such alarming levels.
Raising queries about the effectiveness of Nafdac’s monitoring mechanisms and the factors that allowed the problem to escalate to its current extent.
Some users have taken it upon themselves to scrutinize their own homes for potential fake products, specifically noting the absence of NAFDAC registration numbers. This revelation has prompted heightened awareness among consumers regarding the prevalence of substandard goods circulating in the market.
Reactions
Dr Babatunde
- It’s time for NAFDAC and SON to rise up to the occasion and sanitize our consumption space! We are dying needless deaths because of these fake products!
It’s time for NAFDAC and SON to rise up to the occasion and sanitize our consumption space!
We are dying needless deaths because of these fake products!— Dr Babatunde (@enodamade) December 19, 2023
Nana Aba
- “NAFDAC needs to try harder. If they need the assistance of the public, they should make statements and tell us how we can help. We can’t continue like this.“
Saw this on Opeyemi's page.
NAFDAC needs to try harder.
If they need the assistance of the public, they should make statements and tell us how we can help. We can't continue like this. pic.twitter.com/hqVhz0ToiU— Nana Aba (@__chef_o) December 19, 2023
@GeekyAdams
- “One thing is certain though, someone in NAFDAC isn’t doing their job and needs to be arrested.
- Because how can an important database like this not be updated regularly?”
One thing is certain though, someone in NAFDAC isn’t doing their job and needs to be arrested.
Because how can an important database like this not be updated regularly?
— عبد الحكيم 💮 𝕏 (@GeekyAdams) December 18, 2023
Lami Apejoye
- “Jokes apart, this is a national emergency, and if we are serious, the heads of NAFDAC and SON should be summoned to the Villa immediately, but yea, probably not happening.“
Jokes apart, this is a national emergency, and if we are serious, the heads of NAFDAC and SON should be summoned to the Villa immediately, but yea, probably not happening. 🤷🏽♀️
— ‘Lami Apejoye (@MsLami_A) December 18, 2023
Demola of Lagos
- “We have Customs, NAFDAC, SON, FCCPC.
- All these public funds-guzzling agencies, yet the markets are widely saturated with adulterated and fake consumer products. A clusterfuck!”
We have Customs, NAFDAC, SON, FCCPC.
All these public funds-guzzling agencies, yet the markets are widely saturated with adulterated and fake consumer products.
A clusterfuck!
— Demola Of Lagos 𓃵 (@OmoGbajaBiamila) December 18, 2023
Ore
- “thé gag is that all these products have NAFDAC numbers. whether those are real is even another issue.you hate to see it”
thé gag is that all these products have NAFDAC numbers. whether those are real is even another issue.
you hate to see it.
— Ọrẹ (@Orethebrave) December 18, 2023
@Oluwafunmi
- “It is very safe to say that Nafdac is not doing their job. Everything is literally fake in Nigeria and no one is controlling or holding anyone accountable.”
It is very safe to say that Nafdac is not doing their job. Everything is literally fake in Nigeria and no one is controlling or holding anyone accountable.
— Funmi❤️ (@Oluwafunnmi) December 18, 2023
Theo Abu
- “NAFDAC Number should be digitalized. I should be able to check the authenticity of a product/Brand from the comfort of my home”
NAFDAC Number should be digitalized.
I should be able to check the authenticity of a product/Brand from the comfort of my home.
— Thεό Abu (@TheoAbuAgada) December 18, 2023
@fisayoade_
- “From skincare to food products to lifestyle products, nothing is held sacred in this country.
- What is NAFDAC doing ??”
From skincare to food products to lifestyle products, nothing is held sacred in this country.
What is NAFDAC doing ??
— Fifss✨- A CBAP | Career Coach 🌍 (@fisayoade_) December 18, 2023
Backstory
Based on multiple reports, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have took action to close down several illicit markets suspected of trading in adulterated beverages in Abia State.
According to NAFDAC it apprehended 10 suspects, and the affected markets were promptly sealed pending the outcome of a thorough investigation.
Speaking to Channels in an interview, Martins Iluyomade, the director of NAFDAC’s South-East Zone, disclosed that the suspects, operating within the Cemetery market and occupying over 240 shops, were engaged in the production and sale of products compromised by unsafe ingredients and unsanitary manufacturing practices.
Citing potential health hazards posed by these unscrupulous practices, Iluyomade raised alarm about the increased risk during the yuletide season.
The crackdown comes amid a troubling trend of counterfeit beverages flooding the Nigerian market. Despite law enforcement agencies dismantling some of the syndicates responsible for these hazardous products, the illicit trade persists with no signs of abatement.
NAFDAC and SON are complicit, the earlier the bad eggs among them are shown the way out the better. It is time for the law to be strengthen, closing down few factories and arresting few people will not solve this age long problems, there should be total arrest and prosecution of everyone involved, from the manufacturers, to the distributors, the marketers, supermarkets and also the NAFDAC and SON agents that are complicit in doing their work, people are dying as a result of this lapses, there should be serious consequence for people involved including forfeitures of all their wealths to take care of victims of fake products.
Many more people will be skeptical of buying drinks. The genuine drink manufacturing industries should come together and strategise on how to work with NAFDAC or else they also will lose markets. NAFDAC should prosecute those culprits to a logical conclusion or else they are also complicit.
NAFDAC are not on top of their job. If they’re closing down illicit factory producing these counterfeit products then it will curb their expansion across the country. Many lives are been lost when people unknowingly consumes fakes products especially these consumables. Some of these counterfeit products are even produced by foreigners in this country. Yet no one go against them. NAFDAC needs to update their page on the latest awareness. Also public awareness to be made neither by gingles or on billboards even online as adds, on newspapers. Everyone should be on the same page. NAFDAC alone can’t fight these battle alone. They still need support from the populace in reporting whenever fake products are sited or unregistered company are seen. Furthermore I think NAFDAC should design an app or probably make it possible on their webpage where any NAFDAC Reg No of any products can be checked or it’s been barcoded and can be checked anytime anywhere.
Adulterated items are produced in all state, mostly in Lagos State. During 80s, seller burnt their expired items but now they don’t anymore bcos of poor routine check-up by NAFDAC and other respective organization. May God help soul from untimely death caused by heart, kidney liver failure and other incurable disease. ( Men have sold their souls by collecting bribe and not doing the right thing in the society) judgement and repercussion awaits us.
Quit blaming NAFDAC, SON, etc…
NIGERIANS are the WORST thing to happen to Nigeria!
Meanwhile, didn’t fail to notice in one of the tweets where a supposed ‘citizen’ of Nigeria (Opeyemi) said she discovered fake products but decided not to raise an alarm because “it’s not my fight”! SMH