The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has raised an alarm over the growing incidence of smuggling, sale, and distribution of regulated food products currently found in markets across the country.

The agency disclosed this critical information in a statement signed by its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, on Saturday in Abuja.
NAFDAC specified that the products—including pasta, noodles, sugar, and tomato paste—are expressly listed on the Federal Government’s Customs Prohibition List and are therefore not permitted for importation into Nigeria.

The statement read in part: “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised an alarm over the growing incidence of smuggling, sale, and distribution of regulated food products such as pasta, noodles, sugar, and tomato paste currently found in markets across the country. These products are expressly listed on the Federal Government’s Customs Prohibition List and are not permitted for importation.”

The agency issued a stern warning about the dangers posed by these illegal items. The statement continued: “NAFDAC warns that the circulation of such prohibited items violates national trade laws, undermines the integrity of the country’s food control system, and poses significant risks to public health, as these products have not undergone the Agency’s mandatory safety evaluation and quality assurance processes.”

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

The agency warned that failure to comply with the directive would attract strict enforcement actions. It added: “Stakeholders are further advised to ensure full compliance with NAFDAC regulations and to promptly notify their supply chain partners to discontinue any transactions involving these items. Failure to comply will attract strict enforcement actions, including seizure and destruction of prohibited goods, suspension or revocation of operational licences, and prosecution in accordance with relevant laws.”

NAFDAC also called on 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 work collaboratively to enforce the prohibition of these unsafe products.

The agency urged all stakeholders to cooperate fully with its efforts, emphasizing its commitment to public safety. It concluded: “NAFDAC remains committed to safeguarding the health of Nigerians and ensuring strict adherence to regulatory standards. Stakeholders are urged to cooperate fully with the Agency’s efforts. For further inquiries, please contact the Post-Marketing Surveillance Division at [email protected].”