NAFDAC seals Aba market over fake food items, beverages worth N5billion

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down the popular cemetery market in Aba, Abia State.

In a statement, the Agency describes the market as the most dreaded and safe haven for individuals who specialise in manufacturing fake wines and beverages in Africa.

The statement signed by NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, says the raid and closure of the market were achieved through the combined effort of a large contingent of the military, DSS, and Nigeria Police, in a rare display of interagency cooperation.

It further states that the shutdown was the second in the last two years, and the purpose was to further clean up the market of fake and unwholesome products, particularly beverages, that are being produced and distributed in the market to unsuspected consumers.

The agency said that over 240 shops turned factories where the harmful products were being produced and marketed were raided.

“These shops turned factories are very filthy. They were using water from very unhygienic sources, harmful chemicals, saccharin, colouring, dirty recycled bottles, and cloned packaging materials of other brands.

“The adulteration of the alcoholic beverages was done by mixing cheaper sources of sugar and starch besides grapes or fruit, among other harmful chemicals unsuitable for human consumption.”

NAFDAC further alleged that the nefarious activities of the counterfeiters included the manufacturing of all kinds of adulterated products, especially different kinds of wine, from a wide variety of brands ranging from Seaman Schnapps, Hennessey, Four Cousins, Carlo Rossi, Jenney, Chelsea London Dry Gin, Schnapp Dry Gin, McDowells, Black Labels, Gordons, Martell, Campari, Smirnoff Ice, Eva Non-Alcoholic Drink,  Cartel, and others.

The professor further said over 1,500 cartons of fake and substandard products were destroyed during the operation, and the street value of the confiscated and destroyed fake products in 2023 was estimated at over N750 million, while the estimated value of products mopped up during the December 15, 2024, operation was N5 billion.

The agency said it also discovered some products that were being revalidated, which include soft and carbonated drinks such as Fanta, Coca-Cola, Schweppes, Lacasera, Sprite, and Hollandia Yoghurt. Super Commando Energy Drink, Farouz, and Amstel Malta.

It said that aside from the drinks, notable fake home-use beverages such as Peak Sachet Milk, Cowbell Sachet Milk, Peak Chocolate Drink, Miksi Sachet Milk, Cadbury Chocolate Drink, and Ovaltine adulterated versions were also confiscated.

NAFDAC appreciated the support it received from the Abia state government, adding that the Mayor of Aba South, the Interim Management Committee of the market, and other stakeholders had worked assiduously with NAFDAC on the project, which also led to another discovery of three major warehouses stockpiling expired Hollandia yoghurt for revalidation.

Ifeoma Nwovu