The National Agency for Food and Drug, Administration and Control, has uncovered another warehouse in Lagos where unregistered food products including sardines, cooking spices, and tomato pastes worth millions of naira were stashed.
Recall, just some days ago, a warehouse in Lagos containing potassium bromate tablets and an unregistered imported bread improver was uncovered.
The Acting Director General of NAFDAC, Dr. Monica Eimunjeze, who led the enforcement team for the sting operation told journalists that despite the ban on the importation of tomato pastes in the country, they were astonished to see heavy loads of unregistered tomato pastes, seasonings and sardines stockpiled in warehouses located in Lagos.
She said, “We uncovered some banned tomato pastes products, which have not been evaluated by this agency, stockpiled in warehouses in Lagos. The products question the existence of local manufacturers who are in the line of production of these products.
”As I said earlier, the investigation is ongoing, but suffice it to say that the quantities are remarkable enough to warrant attention, and we can’t speak to the quality of these products.
“I want to especially appreciate the works of our investigation and enforcement director, Mr Martins and his team, ably supported by our officers, who joined us on this operation. It was not easy, I wouldn’t say more than that, and we know it could get worse if such crack operations are not carried out.”
Vanguard reported that Eimunjeze added that, although, an investigation was ongoing, it was necessary to alert the public on the discovery to prevent the consumption of such unregistered products, especially now the festive period is at hand.
Some of the unregistered tomato pastes brands that were confiscated include: Lena, Mummy’s Joy, St Anne, 1st Choice, Famrite, Estus and others.