BENIN CITY: The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has condemned what it called the “High volume of adulterated, fake and substandard hot drinks” in most markets and shops in urban centres of Edo state.
The agency which recently raided some business centres where these products are being sold to unsuspected members of the public urged traders and consumers to buy processed drinks from only accredited distributors in order to avoid purchase of fake drinks.
The Edo Coordinator of NAFDAC, Mr David West speaking in Benin shortly after one of its enforcement operations, held simultaneously in Benin City and Auchi, said that about 20 cartons of different brands of popular alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks were seized from 12 shops located at three different locations in Benin.
He said that cartons of fake Tramadol, a controlled drug and several cartons of expired drugs such as Febecap, Augmentine were also seized from a patent medicine shop in Auchi, in Edo while ?those involved have been handed over to the police for prosecution.
Speaking along the same line, a Chief Regulatory Officer, Enforcement Operations, NAFDAC, Mr Joseph Idowu, said the enforcement held in Benin was part of a national efforts to remove fake and unwholesome processed drinks from the country.
“From the areas we have covered in Benin, we have seen a lot of counterfeit drinks which we have seized and loaded in two vehicles. We decided to carry out this enforcement on wines sellers because of the report of surveillance we got on wines.”
He added, “Enforcement is an on-going process and NAFDAC is worried about the rate of fake products in the country. We are seeking the support of the media and other stakeholders to help in this campaign against fake products”.
Meanwhile Mr. Godwin Okonofua, Chairman, Edo State Task force on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Food, who was part of the NAFDAC enforcement Team in Benin City said that the sale of fake drinks along side with the original ones was worrisome.
Okonofua said that the consumption of counterfeit food and drinks items could cause Kidney problems and other related diseases calling on consumers to buy processed drinks and drugs from reputable places.
He also commended the on the spot assessment test kits used to ascertain the wholesomeness of the processed drinks during the enforcement operation.
NAFDAC
