NAFDAC Crackdown warehouse, confiscate ₦47m fake products

The National Agency for Food Administration and Control, Nafdac, has sealed a warehouse operated by one Alhaji Ahmed in Niger State for possessing products banned for importation into Nigeria.

Large quantities of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), were said to be stocked in large quantities in 25kg bags.

The Agency’s operation at the Ibrahim Babangida International Market also led to the discovery and seizure of unwholesome, unregistered, and counterfeit products valued at over ₦47 million.

This was contained in a statement released by the Agency on its official Facebook page on Tuesday, where the confiscated items were listed to include counterfeit Oral-B toothpaste, banned foreign spaghetti, and unregistered products such as Bamboo Charcoal toothpaste, “Crogate” and “Cloguide” triple-action toothpaste, and adulterated “Colgate” toothpaste.

The Agency said, “NAFDAC has sealed a warehouse in Niger State operated by one Alhaji Ahmed, for stocking large quantities of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) in 25kg bags, a product banned for importation into Nigeria. In a wider operation at the Ibrahim Babangida International Market, the Agency seized unwholesome, unregistered, and counterfeit products valued at over ₦47 million.”

“Among the confiscated items were counterfeit Oral-B toothpaste, banned foreign spaghetti, and unregistered products such as Bamboo Charcoal toothpaste, “Crogate” and “Cloguide” triple-action toothpaste, and adulterated “Colgate” toothpaste. Several shops have been placed under investigation pending verification of their inventory.”

It was revealed that MSG is used to produce Ajinomoto seasoning, also known as “White Maggie” and has been banned for large-scale importation into Nigeria due to health and regulatory concerns.

Nafdac stated, “Monosodium glutamate, a sodium salt commonly used in producing Ajinomoto seasoning, also known as “White Maggi”, has been banned for large-scale importation into Nigeria due to health and regulatory concerns.”

The Agency however urged the public to avoid repackaged MSG and other food additives without proper labelling, adding that products must have NAFDAC Registration Number, manufacturing and expiry dates, batch number, and the manufacturer’s address to ensure they meet safety and quality standards

“NAFDAC strongly advises consumers to avoid repackaged MSG and other food additives that do not carry proper labelling.

“Products must have a valid NAFDAC Registration Number, manufacturing and expiry dates, batch number, and the manufacturer’s address to ensure they meet safety and quality standards,” The statement reads.