The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has initiated a three-day operation to remove counterfeit Milo chocolate drinks from markets across Bauchi State. The exercise, which began on Tuesday, was announced by NAFDAC’s Bauchi State Director, Dr. Paul Kamai, during a press briefing on Wednesday.
Dr. Kamai revealed that the crackdown is part of a broader directive from NAFDAC’s headquarters aimed at protecting consumers from potentially harmful fake products. “The inspection of markets and superstores to eliminate fake Milo drinks is a priority, and this operation is set to run for three days,” he said.
In addition to addressing the issue of counterfeit Milo, NAFDAC is also planning to engage with local agro-chemical dealers later this week. The agency aims to educate them on the dangers of using banned chemicals like Dictholoruvis and Paraquat for food storage, particularly as the harvest season approaches. “These chemicals have been prohibited due to their harmful effects, and it is crucial that we prevent their use in food storage,” Dr. Kamai emphasized.
NAFDAC is also reminding bakers and packaged water producers in Bauchi to ensure their operational licenses are renewed within the required two-year period. Dr. Kamai warned that failure to comply could lead to penalties that may disrupt business activities.
Furthermore, he encouraged small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to register their products with NAFDAC, emphasizing that such registration is essential for integrating their goods into the broader Nigerian market.
This series of actions by NAFDAC underscores the agency’s commitment to ensuring the safety and quality of consumer products in Bauchi State, as well as its broader efforts to maintain public health standards across the country.
