Date: 2016-12-29

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) has stated that it has sealed more than 200 factories in the year 2016 in Kwara state.

According to the agency the affected factories include bread bakeries, table water factories, drug and cosmetic factories among others.

Speaking to Pilot Business, NAFDAC Coordinator in the state, Mrs. Rose Ajayi said, "we began with sensitisation through engaging stakeholders and industries to educate on the dangers of producing fake drugs and foods for public consumption.

"We continued to carry out surveillance to mop out such illegal goods in the market in the state and we visited some factories most especially bakeries to check how hygienic their production environment is and the equipment available," she explained.

Ajayi further explained that the agency embarked on enforcement in September and have sanctions factories for various degrees of offences. She said, " We have sealed over 200 factories in the course of the year because they have not met the minimum requirements and it is grossly unhygienic.

"The fact that people see sachet water and other products with NAFDAC number does not mean they are fully registered because some people fake the numbers themselves and others operate on expired licences. "The products that are not certified and not licensed by us, we are closing them down and we will make sure they are not seen in the market for consumption.

"Some of these bakeries and table water factories are operating illegally by using other brand name but I can assure you that we have sanitised most of the bakeries in the state.

"In fact I can assure you that about 70 per cent of the bakeries now have the prerequisite materials and standards for operation," she added. She noted that the agency in collaboration with Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA) has destroyed the confiscated products on December 1st this year.

"I want to urge you all to always consume products from a licenced outlet than just buying at a nearby shop."

"We are also calling on members of the public to help the agency with relevant information on poor products and illegal operators of bakeries, table water factories, expired drugs and other products.

"When you buy a product and you are not satisfied with it, you can report to us for necessary action on those engaging in the sharp practice," she advised.