- confiscate products worth N5bn
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shutdown Cemetery market in Aba, Abia State, which it described as a haven for individuals that specialises in the manufacturing of fake wines and beverages.
NAFDAC, in a statement signed by its Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, on Tuesday, said the raid and closure of the market was achieved through the combined effort of large contingency of the military, DSS and Nigeria Police, in a rare display of inter-agency cooperation.
It further noted that the action (shutdown) was the second in the last two years (first was in December, 2023), and the purpose was to further clean up the market of fake and unwholesome products particularly beverages that are being produced and distributed in the market to unsuspected consumers.
The Agency said that over 240 shops turned factories where the harmful products were being produced and marketed were raided. “These shops turned factories are very filthy. They were using water from very unhygienic sources, harmful chemicals, saccharin, colouring, dirty recycled bottles and cloned packaging materials of other brands.
“The adulteration of the alcoholic beverages were done by mixing of cheaper sources of sugar and starch besides grapes or fruit, among other harmful chemicals unsuitable for human consumption.”
NAFDAC further alleged that the nefarious activities of the counterfeiters included the manufacturing of all kinds of adulterated products especially different kinds of wine from a wide variety of brands ranging from Seaman Schnapps, Henessy, Four Cousins, Carlo Rossi, Jenney, Chelsea London Dry Gin, Schnapp Dry Gin, McDowells, Black Labels, Gordons, Martell, Campari, Smirnoff Ice, Eva Non-Alcoholic Drink, Evra Non-Alcoholic Drink, Cartel and others.
“Also, over 1500 cartons of the fake and substandard products were destroyed during the operation. The street value of these confiscated and destroyed fake products in 2023 was estimated at over N750 million, while the estimated value of products mopped up during the December 2024, operation was N5bn,” it said.
The Agency said it also discovered some products that are being revalidated which include soft and carbonated drinks such as Fanta, Coca Cola, Schweppes, Lacasera, Sprite, Hollandia Yoghurt. Super Commando Energy Drink, Feyrouz and Amstel Malta.
It said that aside the drinks, notable fake home use beverages such as Peak Sachet Milk, Cowbell Sachet Milk, Peak Chocolate Drink, Miksi Sachet Milk, Cadbury Chocolate Drink and Ovaltine adulterated versions, were also confiscated.
NAFDAC appreciated the support it received from the Abia state government, adding that
The Mayor of Aba South and the Interim Management Committee of the market and other stakeholders have been working assiduously with NAFDAC on the project which also led to another discovery of three major warehouses stockpiling expired Hollandia Yoghurt for revalidation.