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By Doris Obinna
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shutdown the Eziukwu Market (Cemetery Market) in Aba, Abia State, over counterfeit products.
The agency said a variety of fake beverages; wines, soft drinks and consumables produce in the market, confiscated and destroyed was worth about N750 million.
Addressing journalists, yesterday, in Lagos, Director General, NAFDAC, Prof Christianah Adeyeye, said following an intelligent tip off, the agency carried out several weeks of intelligence gathering and collation of data on the activities with other security agencies. She said the activity had been going on for a long time while they operated like a cartel and threatened anyone who dared to challenge them.
“Some of the nefarious activities of the counterfeiters included the manufacturing of all kinds of adulterated products and different kinds of wine from a wide variety of brands ranging from Seaman Schnapps, Hennessy, Four Cousins, Carlo Rossi, Jenney, Chelsea London Dry Gin, Schnapps Dry Gin, McDowells, Black Labels, Gordons, Martell, Campari, Smirnoff ice, Eva non-alcoholic drink, Evra non-alcoholic drink, Cartel, and others. There is also date revalidation for expired products like Peak milk, Powdered milk, Ketchups, Yoghurt, Coca Cola products, packaging of fake and substandard products, which are later sold to unsuspecting members of the public for consumption.”
Adeyeye further disclosed that the agency raided over 240 shops-turned factories, where the harmful products were being produced and marketed.
“The shops-turned factories are very filthy, using water from very unhygienic sources, harmful chemicals, saccharin, colouring, dirty recycled bottles, and cloned packaging materials of other brands. The adulteration of alcoholic beverages by criminal elements in the country is done by mixing of cheaper sources of sugar and starch besides grapes or fruit, among other harmful chemicals unsuitable for human consumption.
“Over 1,500 cartons of the fake and substandard products were destroyed during the operation, while 300 hundred cartons were evacuated to NAFDAC warehouse.”
She continued: “Adulterated alcohol can cause nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, drowsiness, and dizziness, blue tinged or pale skin, irregular or slow breathing, low body temperature, unconsciousness or passing out.
“It can also lead to kidney and liver failure or even death. Methanol, a substance that can be used in fake vodka, may cause permanent blindness. World Health Organisation (WHO) in their Global Status Report on Alcohol and health estimated that more than three million people died all over the world as a result of alcohol poisoning.
“Furthermore, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) ascertained that one of every 10 cancer cases in Nigeria can be traced to alcohol and 4.7 per cent of overall cancer cases in Nigeria in 2019 can be attributed to consumption of adulterated alcohol.”
While urging Nigerians to remain vigilant, she advised members of the public to think about the “4 Ps” before buying of alcohol; Place: Only buy only NAFDAC registered drinks from reputable and licenced retailers, bars and supermarkets.
“Price: If the product is being sold well below its normal price, or doesn’t seem to include normal taxes on liquors, then it is probably fake.
“Packaging: Check for poor quality packaging, spelling mistakes and unusually shaped bottles. Look for the contact information and address of the manufacturer. If it is missing, the alcohol is fake, inspect the seal on the bottle. If the seal is broken or damaged, then the contents might have been interfered with and are not safe to drink. Check for fake bar codes. If you have an app on your mobile that scans bar codes, scan it and see if it’s listed as the correct product.
“Product: Beware of bad smells! If it smells like paint stripper or nail polish remover, then it probably is.”
