NAFDAC Receives 225 Product Complaint Calls in August

NAFDAC Director-General Mojisola Adeyeye reports the agency received 225 complaint calls in August, highlighting the importance of public reporting in identifying counterfeit and unsafe products. While social media raises awareness, official channels provide the data needed for investigation. Mojisola AdeyeyeThe National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control received 225 complaints about suspected counterfeit products in August. Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency's director-general, spoke on Monday while briefing journalists on NAFDAC's efforts to tackle suspected counterfeit, adulterated and unsafe products in circulation across the country. She said the agency receives more than 200 complaints from Nigerians each month through its complaint channels, adding that the reports provide important leads for investigation. 'We received over 200 complaints from Nigerians monthly; in August we received 225 calls through NAFDAC complaint channel,' NAN quoted Adeyeye as saying. The director-general urged Nigerians to report suspected counterfeiters through the agency's official complaint channels rather than relying solely on social media to raise concerns about products. 'Counterfeiters are not ghosts; they exist within our communities, neighbourhoods, and business premises,' she said. Adeyeye said NAFDAC's 24-hour call centre and other complaint channels enable the agency to assess reports and determine whether further investigation is required. She said the agency was aware of concerns over suspected adulterated, counterfeit and unsafe food products following recent media reports and social media discussions involving yoghurt, palm oil, apples, soy sauce, olive oil, chicken, fish, water and beverages. However, Adeyeye cautioned that social media allegations alone could not establish that a product was counterfeit or unsafe, noting the importance of scientific testing and regulatory investigation. 'The strength of the publication could have been enhanced by a proper scientific evaluation rather than relying primarily on emotionally driven and perhaps commercially motivated social media narratives,' she said. Adeyeye said NAFDAC's regulatory mandate over food primarily covers processed and packaged products and includes establishment inspection, sampling, laboratory analysis, compliance monitoring, post-market surveillance, complaint investigation, product verification, recall and enforcement. She added that the production, distribution, importation, exportation, advertisement, sale or use of unregistered regulated products was unlawful under the NAFDAC Act and other applicable laws. According to the DG, the agency can seize, recall or dispose of affected products and take enforcement action where violations are established. Adeyeye also clarified that some products highlighted in recent reports, particularly imported agricultural produce, do not fall exclusively under NAFDAC's regulatory mandate. She said the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service is responsible for imported agricultural produce such as apples, grapes and oranges, stressing the need for closer cooperation among relevant agencies. The DG said the National Policy on Food Safety and Quality and its 2023 implementation plan provide a framework for such coordination. She also raised concerns about the adulteration of palm oil with azo dyes and other hazardous contaminants, particularly in traditionally packaged palm oil sold in open markets. 'The adulteration of palm oil with azo dyes and other hazardous contaminants has been observed, particularly in palm oil packaged and presented in traditional forms,' she said. 'Fufu and other staple foods are also reported to be produced by adding bleach and other chemicals injurious to human health. 'Adeyeye said NAFDAC did not have 'direct and absolute regulatory oversight' over unbranded palm oil, fufu and other traditionally packaged staple foods sold in open markets, and urged sub-national authorities to strengthen monitoring within their jurisdictions. She said NAFDAC had also been addressing the unethical ripening of fruits since 2018 through restrictions on calcium carbide availability, public enlightenment and engagement with stakeholders.