The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has warned against the rising circulation of smuggled and unapproved food products across markets nationwide.
In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency said the affected products—pasta, noodles, sugar, and tomato paste—are on the Federal Government’s Customs Prohibition List and are not permitted for importation into the country.
According to the statement, the presence of these prohibited items violates national trade laws, undermines the integrity of Nigeria’s food control system, and poses significant public-health risks, as the products have not undergone NAFDAC’s mandatory safety evaluation and quality-assurance checks.
NAFDAC directed importers, supermarket operators, open-market traders, and all stakeholders in the food supply chain to immediately halt the importation, sale, and distribution of all items on the prohibition list.
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The agency warned that non-compliance would attract strict enforcement measures, including the seizure and destruction of prohibited goods, suspension or revocation of operational licences, and prosecution under relevant laws.
It further advised stakeholders to notify partners within their supply chains to discontinue transactions involving the affected products.
NAFDAC also called for stronger collaboration with other government agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Ports Authority, to enforce the prohibition.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring full adherence to regulatory standards. It urged stakeholders to cooperate with ongoing surveillance efforts and directed enquiries to its Post-Marketing Surveillance Division.