The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on Tuesday sealed four local rice milling companies in Autabalefi area, Masaka main market, and motor pack, all in Nasarawa State.
The agency also seized empty branded bags of rice belonging to well-known companies such as Royal Stallion, Tomato and Big Bull, BUA Rice, and many others.
The agency also seized sealing machines, sewing thread, a Middle, a packing bowl, and two 50 kg bags of rice belonging to some of these local milling companies.
NAFDAC also put on hold the Nigeria Brewery, Masaka Depot, for poor storage of drinks.
The agency said that the large quantity of drinks arranged outside the Brewery building under the sun was unhygienic for consumption.
Mrs Benedicta Obaseki, the agency’s Deputy Director, NAFDAC Greater FCT Office, in Mararaba, Nasarawa state, said that NAFDAC conducted the raid based on the findings of concerned Nigerians.
“The raid became necessary to avoid the circulation of substandard rice into the market as the Muslim faithful celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir.
“NAFDAC’s commitment to ensuring the safety and quality of food products in our markets, especially as we approach the Sallah.
“We all know that people use this opportunity to manufacture and sell all kinds of fake things to make money. Because of that, we needed to be proactive to ensure we did what was required.
“On behalf of the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, we decided to take decisive action against the manufacturers of those rice products because they do not comply with our regulatory standards.
“As such, these products have been put on hold and will be destroyed appropriately. As we approach the Sallah, we want to ensure that Nigerians can access safe and quality food in the markets.
“Fake rice poses a great danger to health, and we do not want to tolerate that,” Obaseki stressed.
She said that NAFDAC would continue to raid markets to mop up rice and other offensive products that are of substandard and would also apply sanctions on any products that do not comply with standards.
Obaseki urged Nigerians to be vigilant and buy rice from reputable sources, stressing that the agency had recently discovered some sharp practices.
She also called on Nigerians to always check out for the NAFDAC registration number of any product they buy in the market, adding that the safety of Nigerians is the agency’s priority.
Miss Purity Obadiah, the Manager of one of the companies, told newsmen that her company milled rice, corn, and cassava, processed them, and delivered such products to its customers.
She said that her company also polishes, de-stones, and packages rice for individuals.
When asked if people bring branded bags to repackage, Obadiah said no.
“Last December, customers brought new branded bags for us to package but we didn’t do it. The owner of this company has warned us not to accept that.
“So that is what we do, we don’t accept branded bags,” Obadiah stressed.
Mrs Maris Kano, whose company was also sealed, denied any wrongdoing.
“The bags that I used to repackage my rice were bought from the market and not branded ones that belong to other companies,” she said.