NAFDAC shuts two illegal sachet water factories in Rivers
By Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down two sachet water factories at Aluu in Ikwerre LGA of Rivers State for producing untreated and unregistered sachet water.
The action was carried out sequel to credible information concerning their activities.
One of the factories located at Omuokiri, Aluu, close to Port Harcourt was producing ‘THICOONE Table Water’ in an unhygienic environment with no filtration procedure and UV light, the facility was not approved or registered by NAFDAC, hence there was no NAFDAC number printed on the sachet.
According to the release signed by the South South PRO of NAFDAC, Cyril Monye, “the factory workers took to their heels on sighting NAFDAC officials. Their equipment and sachet water already packed for sale were later confiscated and destroyed in the process.
“Another unregistered factory at the same axis was discovered to be cloning/faking two registered sachet water products, one of the labels bearing Enugu address, the owner was arrested while more than one truck of sachet water set for distribution were destroyed and the factory shut down.
“The agency is using this medium to warn the general public to be mindful of the sachet water they consume by ensuring that they have NAFDAC number and always avail the Agency of information on places where fake products are being produced.”
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Coordinator of the Agency, Mr Emmanuel Onogwu has warned sachet water producers to always maintain good hygienic practice (GHP) in their factories.
He gave the warning while featuring as a guest speaker during the Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP), Rivers State chapter’s meeting in Port Harcourt.
He said that: “NAFDAC will not hesitate to shut down any water factory where standard practices are been flouted and sanction the owner.”
The ATWAP members were also educated on NAPAMS and online registration of their products.
