NAFDAC alerts Nigerians on contaminated foreign Indian Rice

By Precious Mark

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a safety alert warning the public against Bulmex Parboiled Rice, following an import ban placed on the product by the Niger Republic due to discovered metallic contamination.

According to the regulatory body, the Ministry of Trade and Industry in the Niger Republic slammed a ban on the Indian-origin rice brand following rigorous oversight and findings by the Agadez Regional Directorate of Commerce and Industry.

The investigation confirmed that the foodstuff contained hazardous iron debris, rendering it entirely unfit for human consumption.

While the brand is primarily recognized as a variant of Indian parboiled rice and Pakistani long-grain rice, records show it is distributed by firms including Karam Food Grains Private Limited, Paragon Commodities Limited, and Imoro Brunya / Sulemana Imoro Distribution Company.

The alert noted that the commodity is circulated and marketed across various parts of Africa, including both Nigeria and the Niger Republic.

Although the physical presence of the affected brand has not yet been definitively confirmed within local Nigerian markets, NAFDAC stated that the advisory is necessary to tighten border surveillance and preempt potential smuggling channels.

In response to the threat, the agency has directed all zonal directors and state coordinators to comb through commercial supply chains and mop up any batch of the implicated product found within their jurisdictions.

Distributors, retailers, and consumers have been strongly advised to exercise caution, thoroughly verify product conditions and authenticity, and immediately report any suspicious items to the nearest NAFDAC office.