The Nationwide Meals and Drug Administration and Management Company on Thursday raided Sheik Gumi Market in Kaduna State and seized unregistered and expired tomato paste price over N2 million.
The company introduced that 75 cartons of expired and unregistered tomato paste of various manufacturers had been seized from 16 shops in the marketplace.
NAFDAC Deputy Director of Investigations and Enforcement, Kaduna workplace, Tamanuwa Andrew, mentioned the raid was in keeping with the 2019 ban on the importation of tomato paste by the Federal Authorities.
He mentioned that because the ban on the import of tin tomato paste, the company has been conducting raids on unregistered and banned tomato paste within the nation’s markets.
“In September 2022 in Lagos, the Director of Investigation and Enforcement held a press briefing on a state-only raid the place open, supermarkets and outlets had been raided and over 3,000 cartons of unregistered tin tomatoes had been seized.”
Andrew famous that NAFDAC will proceed to carry out its obligation and won’t shrink back from its duties of making certain a wholesome nation.
He disclosed that their surveillance confirmed that open supermarkets and meals outlets had been nonetheless importing the banned tomato paste illegally, which he described as a setback for the economic system and native producers.
“Since these unpatriotic Nigerians usually are not keen to cease smuggling these banned gadgets, we’re additionally not keen to cease persecuting them till we rid our market of such merchandise,” he mentioned.
Andrew additional mentioned that they may go to different markets to hold out comparable workouts.
He defined that the explanation why a few of the meals merchandise are banned is as a result of a few of them comprise substances that trigger most cancers.
“Tomato paste comprises the substance biphenyl, which is harmful for human consumption. Accumulation of gear within the physique will end in most cancers.
He famous that through the festivities, counterfeiters and smugglers at all times flood the market with dangerous merchandise.
He mentioned that an investigation will start on those that had been discovered with tomato paste and that they may face the regulation upon completion.
He reiterated the dedication of NAFDAC NCoS to make sure protected markets the place shoppers will purchase real and high quality merchandise for consumption. NAN