The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has warned frozen food dealers across the country to stop the sale and distribution of unregistered and prohibited products.
NAFDAC gave the warning in an announcement on Friday during a one-day sensitization programme at Kado Fish Market in Abuja.
Speaking to the traders, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, stated the need to stick to standardization. She emphasized that the importation and distribution of banned products must stop. This, she said, will help to support local farmers and producers of frozen food.
Adeyeye was Represented by the Director in charge of the FCT Directorate, Kenneth Azikiwe, Adeyeye reiterated the agency’s commitment to eliminate illegal production and distribution of unregistered packaged food, water and other regulated products in the country.
The NAFDAC boss also noted that the initiative aims to safeguard public health, particularly during the festive season.
She said, “This sensitization programme is designed to ensure good storage and distribution practices in the market. Because properly stored food products maintain quality before consumption.
“We are here at Kado Fish Market, the largest fish market in North-Central Nigeria. To ensure that frozen chicken, fish, and meat products are appropriately stored and safe for public consumption.”
Adeyeye therefore, urged the market association members to prioritize purchasing locally manufactured and NAFDAC-registered frozen products to ensure quality and safety for consumers.
She warned that violators of the Federal Government’s ban on the importation of frozen chicken, turkey, and catfish would face strict enforcement measures.
The Chairman of the Frozen Food Sellers Association at Kado Fish Market, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed, welcomed the sensitization programme. He therefore, pledged the association’s support for NAFDAC’s regulations.
Mohammed assured the agency that members would comply with the policies to promote the well-being of Nigerians.
He, however, used the occasion to appealed to NAFDAC to enforce its policies with fairness and compassion.
In a related development, NAN reports that NAFDAC has conducted inspections of water production factories in the FCT.
The inspection is to ensure compliance with hygienic standards and good manufacturing practices among sachet and table water producers.
source: NAN
Follow us for more news on our WhatsApp News Channels @
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaC505jB4hdZ5Yx9g82U