Director General, NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christiana Adeyeye

• Dismisses claims of proliferation of substandard goods, foods
• Describes social media videos, claims as fake, overly sensational

Two suspects have been arrested after the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) uncovered a suspected facility where expired energy drinks, wines and whisky brands were being revalidated for sale at Zamfara Plaza, BBA Trade Fair Complex, Lagos State.

The agency disclosed this in a video posted on its official X account, showing its operatives inspecting the facility and discovering drinks allegedly undergoing revalidation, alongside chemicals and equipment suspected to have been used in the operation.

In the video, an agency official was heard explaining that the suspects removed expired labels from energy drink containers to make the products appear suitable for consumption.

The operatives also displayed bottles awaiting the same process, as well as packaging materials, new bottle corks and what the official described as a filtration system comprising a large bowl containing liquid.

According to the NAFDAC official at the scene, the suspects allegedly supplied the revalidated drinks to bars and nightclubs through arrangements with some bar managers, potentially exposing consumers to expired or falsified alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

NAFDAC, however, expressed concern over the discovery, while indicating that the operation was part of its efforts to tackle suspected counterfeit products.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has described as fake and overly sensational videos making the rounds on social media from Nigerians calling out fake and substandard foods and products.

The DG, who spoke as a Special Guest of Honour at the Nigerian Institute of Food, Science and Technology (NIFST) 50th conference and yearly general meeting held in Lagos yesterday, dismissed the videos, noting that they are untrue and lack substance.

“Many of those videos seen on social media are untrue. Nigerians have to be careful regarding what they see posted on social media because many are simply posting untrue things there,” she said.

Adeyeye stressed that NAFDAC’s activities are strictly for semi-processed and fully processed foods.

The NAFDAC DG, while lamenting that the agency is understaffed and overworked, said the staff strength of the agency is just slightly over 2,000 people serving 240 million Nigerians.

She said Nigerian foods are medicinal and impact life quality.