The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has made a strong appeal to businesses, urging them to focus on following health and safety rules. This includes ensuring that products are accurately labeled and properly managed, especially those that are strictly regulated, such as processed foods, medications, cosmetics, medical devices, bottled water, herbal products, and chemicals.
During a discussion at the 2024 African Retail Congress held recently in Lagos, NAFDAC‘s Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, was represented by Nantin Dadi, the Director of the Northwest Zone. Dadi highlighted that every product is governed by specific laws, particularly those that require special attention due to their nature.
He emphasized that business owners, especially retailers, need to be well-informed about both local and international laws that apply to how these products are made, stored, and sold. Dadi warned that if businesses do not obey these regulations, they could face serious financial consequences. For instance, he mentioned that just one knowledgeable inspector could disrupt an entire distribution network by citing a single regulation, which might lead to closures and losses of up to 20 million Naira—in a short period like a week.
Read Also: Jobberman Launches Women Empowerment Campaign
When businesses plan to grow or expand into new areas, Dadi advised them to conduct careful research to understand the relevant regulatory bodies they need to work with—this includes organizations like NAFDAC, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria. Knowing the specific requirements from these regulators will help businesses run smoothly and avoid potential legal issues.
He pointed out that many businesses often get penalized for not storing products properly or for selling items that haven’t been officially registered. For example, if a retailer is selling yogurt without proper refrigeration, and NAFDAC conducts an inspection, the retailer could face fines for improper storage and have their products seized to protect consumers from possible contamination.
Dadi also expressed the agency’s concern about false advertising and misleading labels on products. He stated that product labels serve as the first point of contact between a customer and the product, making it crucial for them to be truthful and accurate. If a product falsely claims to cure all illnesses without scientific proof, that product could be taken off the market. NAFDAC is committed to preventing consumers from being misled by such claims.
He urged businesses to utilize NAFDAC’s resources—like their website—to better understand and comply with regulations. Dadi concluded by stressing the responsibility businesses have to their customers. He explained that ordinary people rely on businesses to ensure that their products are exactly what they claim to be. For example, if a label states that a product contains 68% protein but testing reveals it only has 21%, the company must correct this misleading information to reflect the truth.
