The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has clarified that its mandate does not cover unbranded and unpackaged products such as palm oil and fufu sold in open markets. It noted that such products fall “outside NAFDAC’s direct regulatory oversight; sub-national authorities bear primary responsibility for such products”.
The Agency was reacting to public outcry over counterfeit, adulterated food products and false labelling by food and drinks manufacturers and sellers in the country.
Consumer Paddy reports that Zayith Yogurt, a Nigerian yoghurt brand, was called out by netizens for false nutritional claims on its product. Ex-Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, revealed that a laboratory test found that a freshly squeezed orange juice consumed by his wife, Dolapo, was unfit for human consumption.
The Agency claimed its regulatory mandate under the NAFDAC Act (Cap. N1, LFN 2004) covers processed and packaged food products and does not extend to all food items in circulation.
In its defence statement, NAFDAC said imported fresh produce, including apples, grapes, and oranges, falls under the quarantine mandate of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS).
“The Agency has also noted with grave concern the adulteration of palm oil with azo dyes and hazardous chemicals, and reports of bleach being used in the production of fufu, practices that are dangerous to public health and subject to regulatory action where NAFDAC’s mandate applies.
While it is great to clarify the extent of its regulatory power, it is clearer than day that NAFDAC’s performance in regulating products in its purview is subpar. However, the NAFDAC DG had earlier claimed the Agency is short-staffed. Nevertheless, it can do more. The open market and supermarkets are flooded with counterfeit and falsely labelled products.
