By Barth Ndubuwah
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned producers of sachet water to stop manufacturing unregistered packaged water.
The NAFDAC Director of the South-South Zone, Pharm. Chukwuma Oligbu, gave the warning after the agency clamped down on sachet water producers in the Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru, Degema, and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
The operation, which was carried out across the four local government areas, led to the closure of sixteen sachet water factories, while their owners were invited to the NAFDAC office.
The affected sachet water brands include Obra Bo Table Water in Abalama, Asari-Toru Local Government Area; Loilia Table Water in Okpo, Degema Local Government Area; Jima Table Water, Inye Table Water, Obuta Table Water, S.P. Nimi Table Water, and Soaltam Table Water, all in Obuama Harry Town, Degema Local Government Area; as well as Piasso Table Water in Usokun, Degema Local Government Area.
Others shut down in the area include Imumsco Table Water on the Port Harcourt–Degema Road in Degema Local Government Area; Granpa Table Water, Daa Ajuka Table Water, and Diob Table Water, all in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.
In the Ikwerre Local Government Area, four factories were shut down, including Aqua-Tobson Table Water, Duco Table Water, Chisodek Table Water, and Neo Brain Table Water.
According to a release signed by the South-South Zonal Public Relations Officer of NAFDAC, Cyril Monye, the violations committed by the sachet water factories included operating under poor hygienic conditions, utilizing dirty filters, using handkerchiefs as filters, holding expired licenses, exhibiting labeling lapses, and displaying wrong factory addresses.
The Director warned against siting factories inside filling stations, which he stated is against NAFDAC regulations.
He stressed that the agency will permanently shut down such factories.
He also noted that it is against the law establishing the agency for producers to obstruct NAFDAC officials from carrying out their lawful duties, adding that those who indulge in such acts risk arrest and prosecution.
He warned that there will be no hiding place for clandestine producers because the agency’s activities cover all parts of the state, pointing out that hard times await unscrupulous producers of NAFDAC-regulated products.
He urged members of the public to report to the agency whenever they observe any clandestine or illicit production, or the sale of unregistered NAFDAC-regulated products.