Suleja, Niger State, Nigeria – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intensified its fight against illicit and substandard products, seizing over ₦47 million worth of contraband during a recent raid on the Ibrahim Babangida International Market in Niger State. This operation followed the sealing of a warehouse in the state where a large quantity of a banned substance, Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), was discovered.

Acting on intelligence, NAFDAC officials raided a warehouse operated by one Alhaji Ahmed and found it filled with numerous 25kg bags of MSG. The importation of MSG in such large quantities is prohibited in Nigeria due to health and regulatory concerns. The warehouse has been sealed, and further investigations are underway.

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In a concurrent operation at the bustling Ibrahim Babangida International Market, the agency’s enforcement team uncovered a significant haul of unwholesome, unregistered, and counterfeit products.

The seized items included a substantial quantity of fake Oral-B toothpaste, banned foreign spaghetti, and various unregistered oral care products. Among these were Bamboo Charcoal toothpaste, falsely labelled “Crogate” and “Cloguide” triple-action toothpaste, and adulterated “Colgate” toothpaste.

Several shops within the market are now under scrutiny as NAFDAC officials conduct thorough inventory checks to ascertain the extent of their involvement in the distribution of these illegal products.

NAFDAC has reiterated its strong stance against the importation and distribution of banned and counterfeit goods, emphasizing the potential health risks to consumers. The agency specifically warned the public to be vigilant and avoid repackaged MSG and other food additives lacking proper labelling information.

The agency stressed the importance of verifying key details on product packaging, including a valid NAFDAC Registration Number, clear manufacturing and expiry dates, batch numbers, and the manufacturer’s address. These elements are crucial indicators of a product’s safety and quality.

These recent operations underscore NAFDAC’s commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring that only safe and regulated products are available to Nigerian consumers.

The agency has vowed to continue its surveillance and enforcement activities to clamp down on individuals and businesses involved in the trade of substandard and illegal goods.