Fake products: NAFDAC tasks Jigawa traders
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has urged traders, distributors and retailers in Jigawa to verify registration of products in order to check circulation of fake products.
Prof. Mojishola Adeyeye, Director-General of the agency, said this at a one-day stakeholders’ engagement on regulatory compliance, on Thursday in Dutse.
She said the call was imperative to safeguard public health.
Represented by Dadi Mullah, Director in charge of North-West zone, Adeyeye lamented that a significant number of food products were on display without its registration number in markets across the state.
She said traders must verify products number certified by the agency to check circulation of fake and substandard products.
“NAFDAC’s product verification portal is accessible on any mobile phone. If a product does not appear when verified, it should not be on your shelf,” she said.
Adeyeye described the engagement as an act of accountability by the agency to the people of the state,
She called for accountability from the stakeholders, including government, industries, trade associations, and market operators.
The NAFDAC boss called for honest reflection and active participation of the stakeholders, to protect lives and safeguard public health.
Mr Mansur Abubakar, NAFDAC Coordinator in the state, said the engagement aims to bridge the gap between regulatory requirements and the stakeholders daily operations in line with the agency’s 2024-2027 strategic plan.
Abubakar said the event attracted manufacturers, imposters, distributors and retailers, who are vital to safeguarding public health.
“Public awareness is cornerstone to effective regulation. Our objective is to bridge the gap between regulatory requirements and your daily operations within our strategic plan,” Abubakar said.
The agency, he said, strives to strengthen collaboration by fostering partnership where NAFDAC acts as a guide rather than a policing body.
Abubakar reitrated commitment of the agency to equip stakeholders with tools, to enable them to detect and prevent circulation of substandard and falsified medical products and unwholesome foods.
He urged the stakeholders to leverage on the agency’s “Scan-to-Verify” systems, and report suspicious activities to its office for prompt action.
Also, Dr Muhammad Kainuwa, Jigawa Commissioner for Health, lauded NAFDAC’s efforts in safeguarding public health.
Kainuwa was represented by Aminu Magaji, Director Pharmaceutical Services in the ministry.
He said the government adopted proactive measures to ensure curculation of products certified by the agency in the state.
“The state government will continue to ensure that whatever people consumed is heathy.”