By Our Correspondent
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a strong public warning over what it describes as a disturbing influx of prohibited and unregulated food products flooding markets across the country. The agency says the rising circulation of items such as pasta, noodles, sugar, and tomato paste — all listed on the Federal Government’s Customs Prohibition List — poses a serious threat to public health and national food safety.
In its latest advisory, NAFDAC cautioned that these products are being smuggled into Nigeria without undergoing mandatory safety assessments, quality checks, or regulatory approvals. According to the agency, this illegal practice exposes millions of consumers to potentially harmful, expired, contaminated, or substandard foods that could lead to food poisoning, long-term health complications, or other severe medical risks.
NAFDAC has directed importers, supermarkets, distributors, and open-market traders to immediately halt the importation, sale, and distribution of any food items banned by law. The agency warned that it will intensify surveillance nationwide and will not hesitate to seize goods, shut down non-compliant businesses, or prosecute offenders in line with the country’s food and drug laws.
The agency further emphasized the need for a coordinated crackdown involving security agencies, the Nigeria Customs Service, port authorities, and other regulatory bodies to curb the growing smuggling networks enabling the illegal trade.
This warning comes against the backdrop of heightened enforcement efforts in 2025, during which NAFDAC intercepted and destroyed billions of naira worth of counterfeit, expired, and prohibited food items across several states — including massive seizures at Onne Port and major markets in Lagos and Ibadan.
NAFDAC is urging Nigerians to exercise caution when purchasing packaged food items, especially products offered at unusually low prices or lacking proper labeling and NAFDAC registration numbers. Consumers are encouraged to report suspicious products to the agency to support ongoing nationwide enforcement operations.
