Chima Azubuike
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has destroyed seized counterfeit products worth N10 billion in the Northeast zone.
The PUNCH reports that the commodities were publicly burnt by the agency in Gombe State on Wednesday.
Speaking during the exercise, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by the North East Zonal Director, Mr Kenneth Azikwe, noted that the exercise demonstrated the agency’s commitment to ridding Nigerian markets of substandard, falsified, and unwholesome products.
“NAFDAC remains at the forefront of protecting and promoting public health through rigorous standards, innovative practices, and international collaboration,” she stated.
According to Adeyeye, the destroyed products, including food, drugs, and other regulated items, were seized by NAFDAC’s regulatory and enforcement officers.
She added that if circulated, these products could have caused harm to countless individuals in the region.
The Director-General encouraged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious products to the agency with a view to building a safer and healthier nation.
On his part, the state Coordinator of NAFDAC, Mr James Agada, disclosed that the agency was taking a decisive stand against those prioritising profits over public safety.
Agada noted that the destruction exercise was a key component of NAFDAC’s market control strategies to ensure only quality products reach consumers.
While assuring the public of the agency’s efforts towards strengthening regulatory frameworks, Agada said, “We will enhance surveillance and bring violators to justice.”
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