The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intensified efforts to combat the prevalence of unbranded milk, cereals, and other food items of industrial sizes in open markets. The agency’s director general, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, emphasized the health risks associated with unbranded products being dispensed in unsanitary conditions, particularly highlighting the potential hazards for uninformed consumers.
During a feedback session with food manufacturing companies, Prof. Adeyeye, represented by the director of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Mrs. Eva Edwards, expressed NAFDAC’s strong reservations about the widespread availability of bulk food items in markets. She labeled the situation as unacceptable, pointing out that these items often originate from manufacturing plants or their suppliers, creating a concerning loophole in the food supply chain.
One of the key concerns raised was the sale of unbranded items in measures and scoops within open markets, prompting NAFDAC to take a critical review of its process for issuing permits for bulk food raw materials. Mrs. Edwards stressed that companies applying to use these raw materials in the production of NAFDAC-registered products must adhere to stringent guidelines.
In response to these challenges, NAFDAC has implemented additional measures to scrutinize and validate the utilization records of companies seeking import permits for bulk food raw materials. Mrs. Edwards emphasized the importance of thorough assessments, stating that the agency now requires comprehensive import and usage records to make informed decisions regarding permit issuance.
“We don’t want to just see your stock cards; we want to know what you imported in the previous year and what you used because there are some calculations that we need to make,” Mrs. Edwards explained, underscoring NAFDAC’s commitment to ensuring the safety and quality of food products available to consumers.
NAFDAC’s proactive measures reflect its dedication to upholding public health and safety standards, signaling a decisive step towards combating the circulation of unbranded food items in open markets. By addressing the regulatory gaps that enable the sale of potentially unsafe products, NAFDAC aims to fortify consumer confidence and safeguard the well-being of the populace.
