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National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control lolNational Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) agents have launched a massive crackdown on Enugu’s Ogbete market, closing over 100 shops suspected of selling fake alcoholic beverages.
The agency’s zero-tolerance stance aims to protect consumers from harmful, unhealthy drinks.
Following the successful raid, Martins Iluyomade, NAFDAC’s South-East Zone Director, announced on Monday that the suspects would be held accountable for their actions through the judicial system, pending the outcome of the agency’s investigation.
Iluyomade reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to protecting the public’s health and well-being by launching a concerted campaign to root out counterfeit and substandard products that have permeated the South-East, thereby ensuring the circulation of only genuine and quality goods.
“We conducted a thorough operation at the busy Ogbete Main Market in Enugu State starting from Friday, resulting in the closure of 100 shops identified for selling counterfeit alcoholic beverages,” Iluyomade explained.
“Arrests were made, and the suspects are currently in custody.”
“These fake wines and alcoholic beverages pose a serious risk to unsuspecting consumers and the general public, but we are committed to cleansing the market of such harmful products,” he added.
Read also: NAFDAC Calls For Coordinated Drug Wholesale Centers In Aba
By joining forces with the police, DSS, and Nigerian Army, NAFDAC was able to mobilize a formidable task force that combined their skills and resources to deliver a swift and decisive blow, marking a major triumph for interagency collaboration.
The agency is cautioning Nigerians against the dangers of storing cooked food for extended periods, advising that it should be refrigerated for no more than three days to prevent spoilage and foodborne illnesses.
Adeyeye, who gave the warning in statement on Tuesday, in commemoration of the 2024 World Food Safety Day tagged: ‘Food Safety: Prepare for the Unexpected’, explained that cooked food stored for too long can become contaminated with harmful pathogens, leading to foodborne diseases that can be fatal.
This warning is aimed at promoting food safety and preventing food-related illnesses.
According to NAFDAC, the key to preventing the growth of harmful bacteria in food lies in adopting proper handling and storage techniques to guarantee consumer safety.
Experts caution that failing to promptly refrigerate and consume cooked food within a safe time frame can lead to food-borne illnesses, emphasizing the importance of proper food handling practices.
