The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has explained the agency’s responsibilities amid growing concerns over the circulation of fake and adulterated food products in Nigeria.
Adeyeye, while speaking in a recent interview with BusinessDay TV, said Nigerians should understand that food safety involves several government agencies and cannot be blamed solely on NAFDAC.
She explained that NAFDAC’s mandate primarily covers processed and semi-processed food products, while the Ministry of Agriculture has the primary responsibility for fresh produce. She noted that products such as fresh oranges sold in markets do not fall directly under NAFDAC’s regulatory control.
The NAFDAC boss also discussed the misuse of agricultural chemicals, saying the agency has a responsibility to regulate pesticides and help educate farmers on their proper use. However, she noted that NAFDAC cannot independently reach the millions of farmers across the country and that the Ministry of Agriculture also has a major role to play in educating farmers.
Her comments come amid increasing public concern over counterfeit and adulterated food, drugs, beverages and other consumer products reportedly circulating in Nigerian markets. NAFDAC has said it receives more than 200 complaints about suspected counterfeit products monthly, recording 225 complaints through its channels in August alone.
Adeyeye’s clarification comes as Nigerians continue to share reports and videos online alleging that various food and consumer products are fake or adulterated. NAFDAC has, however, stressed that such claims must be properly investigated and scientifically verified before a product can be officially declared counterfeit or unsafe.
