NAFDAC identifies Aba Cemetery market as hub for fake products

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has flagged Eziukwu Market, popularly known as Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia State, as a hotspot for the production and distribution of fake and substandard goods.

This was revealed during an operation led by NAFDAC’s South-East Director, Martins Iluyomade, on Tuesday.

Iluyomade described the market as a hub of counterfeit goods production, likening the scale of illegal activities to “weapons of mass destruction.”

Recurring Issues Despite Crackdowns

Iluyomade expressed frustration that illegal activities persist despite prior interventions, including a major crackdown in December 2023.

He criticized the market leadership for failing to uphold agreements made with NAFDAC to expose counterfeiters, adding, “Market leaders now have serious questions to answer.”

Alarming Discoveries

Among the troubling findings during the raid were expired products being revalidated with new labels, a clear danger to consumer health. The uncovered counterfeit and adulterated items included:

Wines and whiskey

Yogurt and carbonated drinks

Chips and dry gin

Other beverages produced in unsanitary conditions

Consumer Warning and NAFDAC’s Commitment

NAFDAC has urged consumers to remain vigilant and cautious when purchasing products, emphasizing the potential health risks posed by counterfeit goods. The agency also reaffirmed its dedication to prosecuting those involved in these illegal activities to safeguard public health.

Broader Efforts

In a separate incident, NAFDAC recently destroyed 828 cartons of contaminated Bioflex infusions supplied by Biomedical Company Limited after they failed sterility tests. This action followed complaints from Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital about suspended particles in the infusions.

Additionally, the agency flagged the illegal sale of ZACEF-TZ Injection, an unregistered Ceftriaxone Sodium Injection, in Abuja.

(Naira Metrics)