The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed off a Chinese-owned supermarket in Abuja for violating the country’s food safety and labeling laws. The supermarket, located in Azba Mall on 2 Durban Street, Wuse 2, was found to be selling products with Chinese labels, some of which were expired, raising serious concerns about consumer safety and regulatory adherence.
NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Shaba Mohammed, confirmed the closure on January 6, revealing that the agency had received “credible information” regarding the store’s operations. Mohammed emphasized that all the products on display were labeled in Chinese, a practice that does not comply with Nigerian regulations that require labeling to be in English, with foreign languages only included as translations.
“This supermarket had been operating in blatant disregard for our rules,” said Mohammed. “More than 90% of the products were imported with Chinese labels, and many of these items had already expired. We acted swiftly once we received the information.”
The agency’s investigation revealed that the store had failed to meet the necessary standards for importation and labeling of goods, potentially putting customers at risk by offering expired and unlabeled products. Mohammed pointed out that, in some cases, these products had remained on the shelves long after their expiration dates, further exacerbating concerns about public health.
A comprehensive investigation into the supermarket’s supply chain is now underway. NAFDAC is particularly concerned about how these goods entered the Nigerian market without proper documentation or approval, given that they were not visible to NAFDAC inspectors at the port of entry.
Unacceptable Violations
“This is not just about language. It’s about consumer protection. The law is clear: if you’re selling goods in a foreign language, you must provide an English translation. The people of Nigeria have a right to know exactly what they’re purchasing,” Mohammed stated.
The director revealed that NAFDAC’s task force had been working relentlessly to ensure compliance, but this particular case caught their attention only recently. Had the agency been aware of these violations sooner, the actions against the supermarket would have been taken earlier.
Mohammed further stressed the need for proper regulatory procedures, emphasizing that any business attempting to bypass NAFDAC regulations would face serious consequences. “If the retailer has tried to circumvent the rules, it will face penalties. We will thoroughly investigate and may take administrative action or legal proceedings if necessary,” he warned.
The supermarket is also under scrutiny for potentially evading NAFDAC’s oversight during its importation processes. According to Mohammed, these items should have been inspected and approved by NAFDAC before reaching Nigerian shores.
The Impact on Consumers
For Nigerian shoppers who frequent the supermarket, the closure is a stark reminder of the importance of product safety and proper regulation in retail environments. Many of the products sold were clearly intended for a niche market, but they posed a risk to those who were unaware of the potential dangers lurking on the shelves.
“It’s troubling to think that these items were available to the public without any proper labeling or safety checks,” said a local customer who wished to remain anonymous. “We trust that these stores will provide us with safe and reliable products, but this just goes to show that we need to be more careful about what we buy.”
Consumers in Nigeria, especially those living in major cities like Abuja, often find themselves dealing with an influx of foreign goods, some of which are imported illegally or without adequate regulation. NAFDAC’s intervention serves as a reminder to businesses that the agency is closely monitoring the market to ensure that the safety of the Nigerian public is not compromised.
NAFDAC’s Ongoing Efforts
In addition to closing the supermarket, NAFDAC has announced that it will be investigating the warehouse associated with the store to prevent further violations. The agency will assess how these products were distributed and stored to ensure they didn’t reach other outlets or customers.
“We will visit their warehouse and carry out a full investigation to ensure that no harmful or expired products are being sold elsewhere,” Mohammed confirmed. “This closure is just the first step. We are committed to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of Nigerians.”
While NAFDAC has stated that the supermarket will face penalties if it is found to have violated the law, they have not ruled out the possibility of taking the case to court, depending on the outcome of their investigation. “There could be legal ramifications, or we might opt for an administrative solution depending on the circumstances,” Mohammed explained.
The agency’s swift action underscores the importance of vigilance in maintaining public health standards, particularly as the Nigerian market becomes increasingly diverse and populated by foreign goods.
The Bigger Picture
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges NAFDAC faces in regulating the importation of goods and ensuring that foreign products comply with Nigerian safety and labeling standards. In recent years, the influx of cheap, unregulated products from countries like China has raised alarms over the safety of many consumer goods, particularly in supermarkets, pharmacies, and informal markets.
As part of its mandate, NAFDAC continues to clamp down on unregistered, counterfeit, and expired goods entering the country. The agency has warned businesses that failure to adhere to Nigerian laws would lead to serious consequences, including the possible revocation of licenses and permanent closure.
Mohammed’s remarks also brought attention to NAFDAC’s role in regulating the importation of goods, especially those that do not conform to Nigeria’s linguistic and labeling standards. “This supermarket’s actions were not just unlawful; they put the health of Nigerians at risk,” he stated.
Public Awareness and Accountability
In the wake of the closure, NAFDAC is urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and report any suspicious products or establishments that may be selling unregulated or unsafe goods. The agency is working to raise public awareness about the importance of product safety and ensuring that businesses adhere to the country’s laws to protect consumer interests.
As investigations continue, NAFDAC remains determined to ensure that Nigerian markets remain safe from the dangers posed by substandard and expired products. The agency has promised that further regulatory actions will be taken to safeguard the health and safety of the Nigerian public, emphasizing that violations will not be tolerated.
“We are committed to continuing our efforts to ensure that only safe, well-labeled, and properly regulated products make it to the shelves of Nigerian stores,” Mohammed concluded.
