The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Bauchi State office, has launched a three-day operation in Bauchi markets to eliminate counterfeit Milo chocolate drinks in circulation.
Dr Paul Kamai, NAFDAC State Director, made the announcement on Wednesday in Bauchi.
According to Kamai, the NAFDAC office began inspecting marketplaces and superstores to remove the phoney Milo in circulation in response to an instruction from Headquarters.
“This exercise will last three days starting Tuesday,” he announced. The state director also stated that the agency has organised a meeting with the leadership of the association of agrochemical dealers this week to discuss the dangers of chemicals on foods.
“In Bauchi, we will lobby agrochemical merchants to oppose the use of Dictholoruvis and Paraquat chemicals to keep food as harvest season approaches. “These are dangerous chemicals that have been banned over time,” he said
Kamai urged bakers and packaged water makers to renew their permits within the two-year deadline.
He stated that failure to renew the operational licences could result in penalties that could disrupt corporate operations. Kamai encouraged small and medium-sized businesses to register their items with NAFDAC in order to gain access to Nigerian markets.
Why this matters
The recent action by NAFDAC to crack down on counterfeit Milo chocolate drinks in Bauchi markets is a crucial step in protecting consumer health and ensuring the integrity of products in the marketplace.
Counterfeit goods, especially food and beverages, pose significant risks to public safety, as they can contain harmful ingredients or lack the necessary nutritional value.
NAFDAC’s proactive approach in conducting a three-day operation to identify and remove these fake products underscores its commitment to safeguarding the public.
In Essence
NAFDAC’s reminder to bakers and packaged water manufacturers about renewing their permits is also an essential aspect of regulatory enforcement. Ensuring that businesses comply with licensing requirements helps maintain standards across the industry and prevents the distribution of substandard or unsafe products.
Overall, NAFDAC’s actions in Bauchi demonstrate the agency’s multi-faceted approach to consumer protection, encompassing both direct market interventions and broader regulatory enforcement.
However, for these efforts to be truly effective, it will be important for NAFDAC to maintain ongoing surveillance and continue educating the public and businesses about the dangers of counterfeit products and unsafe practices. Public awareness and cooperation from local businesses are key to sustaining the positive impacts of these initiatives.
