NAFDAC arrests two in Plateau for altering expiry dates on drinks

By Obasola Olatunde 

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arrested two suspects in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State for allegedly altering expiry dates on alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages.

Officials of the agency, led by the North Central Zonal Director, Kenneth Azikiwe, raided a warehouse in Apata community where the illegal activity was being carried out.

The suspects, identified as Yusuf Hassan and Emma Nwobi, were caught relabelling expired products to deceive consumers.

Azikiwe said the operation followed a consumer’s complaint that led investigators to the warehouse.

“We discovered that the products, including wines and hot drinks, were cleaned with chemicals to erase original expiry and manufacturing dates before being replaced with new labels,” he said.

He added that the suspects sold the items in small quantities to avoid detection, noting that the agency had stepped up surveillance as the Christmas season approaches.

“During this festive period, our Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has directed heightened vigilance to ensure that all products in circulation are safe and of good quality,” Azikiwe stated.

He urged Nigerians to carefully check manufacturing and expiry dates on product labels and report any suspicious goods to NAFDAC.

Also speaking, the Plateau State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Dr. Obida Musa, described the act as “reckless and appalling,” warning that the agency would prosecute offenders to deter others.

Meanwhile, one of the suspects, Hassan, pleaded for leniency, claiming ignorance of the forgery. He admitted that he sourced the drinks from Nwobi and was unaware that their expiry dates had been changed from 2020 to 2027.

NAFDAC said further investigations were ongoing to track other members of the syndicate involved in the adulteration and re-sale of expired products.