The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down 150 shops at Eziukwu Market in Abia State, over fake and expired products worth N5 billion.
The agency disclosed this in a statement on its X handle (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.
NAFDAC said the shops were shut during a two-day operation on Dec. 16 and Dec. 17, while products valued at N5billion were destroyed at the market.
The Director of South-East Zone, Dr. Martins Iluyomade expressed dismay at the continued illegal activities, in spite of a previous undertaking signed by market leaders in December, 2023 to expose counterfeiters.
According to the statement, Iluyomade described the market as a hub for counterfeit and substandard products.
“Our team uncovered a large-scale production and distribution of fake and expired goods, including beverages, carbonated drinks, wines, spirits, vegetable oils.
“Revalidated food items such as milk, yoghurt, noodles among others were also destroyed,” the director said.
It reaffirms NAFDAC zero tolerance for such practices and emphasised its unwavering commitment to safeguarding public health while working toward a permanent solution to the problem of counterfeit in the market.