NAFDAC shuts down Abia market, destroys ‘fake wines and beverages worth N750m’

NAFDAC shuts down Abia market, destroys ‘fake wines and beverages worth N750m’

 The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and
Control (NAFDAC) has shut down Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia state, over the production
of fake wines and beverages.

 

A statement on Tuesday signed by Mojisola Adeyeye, the
agency’s director-general, described the operation as a decisive effort to curb
the circulation of substandard and harmful products in Nigeria.

 

Adeyeye said the operation, which was carried out with the
military, Department of State Services (DSS), and the police, is a follow-up to
a December 2024 raid.

 

She said the operation targeted over 240 shops that had been
converted into makeshift factories where fake beverages were being produced
under unhygienic conditions.

 

Adeyeye revealed that counterfeiters were using cheaper
alternatives such as sugar and starch instead of grapes or fruit to produce
adulterated alcoholic beverages, alongside other harmful chemicals unfit for
human consumption.

 

Products counterfeited in the market included popular brands
such as Seaman Schnapps, Hennessy, Carlo Rossi, Chelsea London Dry Gin,
McDowell’s, Black Label, Campari, Smirnoff Ice, Eva Non-Alcoholic Drink, and
several others.

 

NAFDAC said over 1,500 cartons of fake and substandard
products were destroyed during the operation, with a street value estimated at
N750 million.

“The shops turned factories are very filthy, using water
from very unhygienic sources, harmful chemicals, saccharin, colouring, dirty
recycled bottles and cloned packaging materials of other brands,” the statement
reads.

 

“The adulteration of alcoholic beverages by criminal
elements in the country is done by mixing of cheaper sources of sugar and
starch besides grapes or fruit, among other harmful chemicals unsuitable for
human consumption.

 

“Some of the nefarious activities of the counterfeiters
included the manufacturing of all kinds of adulterated products especially
different kinds of wine from a wide variety of brands ranging from the
following: Seaman Schnapps, Henessy, Four Cousins; Carlo Rossi, Jenney, Chelsea
London Dry Gin; Schnapp Dry Gin, McDowells, Black Labels; Gordons, Martell,
Campari, Smirnoff ice; Eva Non-Alcoholic Drink, Evra Non-Alcoholic Drink,
Cartel and others.

 

“Over 1500 cartons of the fake and substandard products were
destroyed during the operation. The street value of the confiscated and
destroyed fake products in 2023 is estimated at over seven hundred and fifty
million naira only. (N750,000,000). The estimated value of products mopped up
during the December 15, 2024, operation is five billion naira.

 

“The products being revalidated and mopped up include: Soft
and carbonated drinks such as Fanta, Coca Cola; Schweppes, Lacasera, Sprite,
Hollandia Yoghurt; Super Commando Energy Drink, Feyrouz and Amstel Malta.

 

“Aside from drinks, notable fake home use beverages such as:
Peak Sachet Milk, Cowbell Sachet Milk, Peak Chocolate Drink; Miksi Sachet Milk,
Cadbury Chocolate Drink and Ovaltine adulterated versions.

 

“Prior to the evacuation of the products by NAFDAC, they
were being produced in the market and neatly packaged and sold to unsuspecting
consumers.

 

“NAFDAC wishes to assure the public of her determination to
safeguard the health of the nation and enjoins the general public to report any
suspected fake and substandard regulated product to the nearest NAFDAC office.”

Source: NAFDAC shuts down Abia market, destroys ‘fake wines and beverages worth N750m’

 - NigerianEye

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