The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has raised concerns regarding the increasing instances of smuggling, sale, and distribution of controlled food items that are currently present in markets nationwide.

The agency shared this vital information through a statement signed by its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, on Saturday in Abuja. 

NAFDAC indicated that these products—including pasta, noodles, sugar, and tomato paste—are explicitly listed on the Federal Government’s Customs Prohibition List and are therefore unauthorized for importation into Nigeria.

The statement included: “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised concerns regarding the increasing instances of smuggling, sale, and distribution of controlled food products such as pasta, noodles, sugar, and tomato paste currently present in markets nationwide. These products are explicitly listed on the Federal Government’s Customs Prohibition List and are not allowed for importation.”

The agency issued a strong warning about the risks associated with these illegal items. The statement went on to say: “NAFDAC warns that the circulation of such prohibited items contravenes national trade regulations, undermines the integrity of the country’s food control system, and presents considerable public health hazards, as these products have not undergone the Agency’s obligatory safety assessments and quality assurance processes.”

NAFDAC instructed all importers, supermarket operators, open market vendors, and other stakeholders in the food supply chain to immediately stop the importation, sale, and distribution of all products listed on the Customs Prohibition List. The directive stated: “All importers, supermarket operators, open market vendors, and other stakeholders in the food supply chain are hereby instructed to immediately halt the importation, sale, and distribution of all products on the Customs Prohibition List.”

The agency cautioned that noncompliance with the directive would result in stringent enforcement actions. It added: “Stakeholders are further encouraged to ensure complete adherence to NAFDAC regulations and to promptly inform their supply chain partners to discontinue any dealings involving these products. Noncompliance will lead to strict enforcement actions, including the seizure and destruction of prohibited items, suspension or revocation of operational licenses, and prosecution in accordance with applicable laws.”

NAFDAC also appealed to relevant government agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Shippers Council, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Nigerian Ports Authority, and Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, to collaborate effectively to enforce the ban on these unsafe products.

The agency urged all stakeholders to fully support its initiatives, reaffirming its dedication to public safety. It concluded: “NAFDAC remains devoted to protecting the health of Nigerians and ensuring strict compliance with regulatory standards. Stakeholders are urged to fully cooperate with the Agency’s initiatives. For more inquiries, please reach out to the Post-Marketing Surveillance Division at pms@nafdac.gov.ng.”