The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has shut down some wine shops in Wuse market, Abuja, worth 100 million Naira for selling fake and unregistered products.
Shaba Mohammed, Deputy Director, Investigation and Enforcement, NAFDAC, made the announcement on Friday during an enforcement exercise in Abuja .
Mohammed, who led a team of NAFDAC officials on enforcement to the market, in continuation of a renewed global anti-counterfeiting fight against counterfeits said that unwholesome food and beverages pose threat to human lives.
”This operation is being carried out in 60 countries in the world which includes Africa, America, Asia and Middle East.
”The operation is in continuation of a renewed global anti-counterfeiting fight against counterfeit, substandard, fake and unwholesome food and beverages in collaboration with Interpol and Europol undertook the raid operation tagged Opson VI,” he said.
Mohammed said that most of the items seazed today were mainly 100 per cent ethanol mixed with other additives and contaminants.
Some of the fake wine found in the market includes: Chamdor, Toma, Valdepenas, J and W and Charmat among others.
He further explained that the contaminants are a threat to essential human vital organs,even as he noted they cause health damages ranging from affecting human brain, cancer of the throat and cirrhosis of the liver.
He noted that suspects arrested will be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others.
Mohammed urged the general public to be watchful of food and beverages they purchase and consume on daily basis stressing that Nigerians should purchase only products that carry NAFDAC registration numbers.
He advised Nigerians to insist on obtaining payment receipts for any purchase made and to report any suspicious activities or illegal warehouses found in vicinity.