The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has removed all compromised food and drugs valued at over N5 billion from the shelves in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, following the recent floods that ravaged the city.
The comprehensive mop-up operation was carried out across several key markets in Maiduguri at the Gamboru Drug and Food Market, Monday Market, Open Air-Theatre Drug Market, and Gwange Drug Market.
The operation which was directed by the agency’s Director General (DG), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, was conducted by officials drawn from Borno, Yobe, Gombe, and the NAFDAC area laboratory that meticulously inspected and removed the compromised items.
The initiative, according to the DG, was aimed at removing drugs and food items contaminated by recent floodwaters to prevent their re-introduction into sales as part of our market control strategy, thereby preventing possible outbreaks of diseases.
The agency also provided guidelines to market vendors and the public on how to identify and handle potentially contaminated products in the future.
Furthermore, all manufacturing facilities engaged in the production of regulated products located within the flood-affected areas have been closed down to allow for GMP reassessment before production begins again.
According to a statement by the agency’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola on Tuesday, Kenneth Azikiwe Director of NAFDAC North-East, the recent floods posed a significant risk to public health by contaminating food and drug supplies.
“Our swift action in these markets is crucial to ensure that only safe and uncontaminated products are available to the public,” he was quoted as saying.
However, the agency assured the public that it would continue with the surveillance and monitoring to cover all parts of the Maiduguri metropolis not covered in this operation.
While urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or compromised products to its nearest office, NAFDAC assured that it remains committed to safeguarding the health of Nigerians by ensuring that all food and drug products meet the highest standards of safety and quality.
“Through rigorous inspections, testing, and public education, NAFDAC works to protect the health and well-being of all Nigerians,” the agency added.
