The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised concerns about the increasing smuggling, sale, and distribution of regulated food products found in markets across the country.
In a statement signed by the agency’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, which was released on Saturday in Abuja, NAFDAC highlighted that certain products, including pasta, noodles, sugar, and tomato paste, are listed on the Federal Government’s Customs Prohibition List and are therefore not allowed for importation.
The agency raised the concern over growing incidence of smuggling, sale, and distribution of regulated food products such as pasta, noodles, sugar, and tomato paste currently found in markets across the country.
According to the statement “These products are expressly listed on the Federal Government’s Customs Prohibition List and are not permitted for importation.
“NAFDAC warns that the circulation of such prohibited items violates national trade laws, undermines the integrity of the country’s food control system, and poses significant risks to public health, as these products have not undergone the Agency’s mandatory safety evaluation and quality assurance processes,” the statement read.
The agency directed all importers, supermarket operators, open market traders, and other stakeholders in the food supply chain to immediately cease the importation, sale, and distribution of all products on the Customs Prohibition List.
“All importers, supermarket operators, open market traders, and other stakeholders in the food supply chain are hereby directed to immediately cease the importation, sale, and distribution of all products on the Customs Prohibition List,” it added.
It warned that failure to comply would attract strict enforcement actions, including seizure and destruction of prohibited goods, suspension or revocation of operational licences, and prosecution in accordance with relevant laws.
“Stakeholders are further advised to ensure full compliance with NAFDAC regulations and to promptly notify their supply chain partners to discontinue any transactions involving these items. Failure to comply will attract strict enforcement actions, including seizure and destruction of prohibited goods, suspension or revocation of operational licences, and prosecution in accordance with relevant laws,” it added.
NAFDAC also called on relevant government agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Shippers Council, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Nigerian Ports Authority, and Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, to work collaboratively to enforce the prohibition of these unsafe products.
The agency urged stakeholders to cooperate fully with its efforts, adding that it remained committed to safeguarding the health of Nigerians and ensuring strict adherence to regulatory standards.
