NAFDAC Warns Over Influx Of Prohibited Food Products Into Markets

News in brief:

-NAFDAC raises alarm over increased smuggling and sale of prohibited food items that have not undergone safety or quality checks.

-The agency orders immediate compliance, warning of seizures, license revocations, and prosecution for violators.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised fresh concerns over the rising circulation of prohibited food products across Nigerian markets, warning that the trend poses serious public health and regulatory risks.

In a public notice issued on Saturday, the agency reported a “disturbing increase” in the smuggling, sale, and distribution of banned items—including pasta, noodles, sugar, and tomato paste, all of which are listed on the Federal Government’s Customs Prohibition List and are not approved for importation into the country.

According to NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the infiltration of these items into local markets undermines Nigeria’s food control system because the products have not passed the agency’s safety evaluation and quality assurance procedures.

“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,” NAFDAC stated.

Regulatory Actions and Directives

The agency has intensified enforcement and directed all importers, supermarkets, open-market traders, and other food supply chain operators to immediately stop the importation, sale, and distribution of any product on the Customs Prohibition List.

Stakeholders are also required to notify their supply chain partners and halt all dealings involving the banned items.

NAFDAC warned that non-compliance will attract strict sanctions, including seizure and destruction of prohibited goods, suspension or revocation of operational licenses, and prosecution in accordance with Nigerian laws.

Call for Inter-Agency Collaboration

To effectively curb the influx, NAFDAC called for stronger coordination among key government agencies. It urged the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Shippers Council, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), NIMASA, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) to work jointly to block the entry and circulation of prohibited goods.

NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the health of Nigerians and ensuring full compliance with national food safety regulations, urging all stakeholders to support ongoing enforcement efforts.