Wednesday, January 29, 2025 - The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has again shut down the infamous Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia after fake drinks were found in the market.
In a statement released on Tuesday, January 28, NAFDAC Director General,
Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, described the raid as “the most decisive action in
the history of the market,” saying NAFDAC also uncovered and confiscated fake
and substandard food and beverages worth over N5 billion in its latest
operation tagged Operation Clean Up Aba
“This is a major step toward safeguarding public health and curbing the
circulation of fake products in Nigeria,” Adeyeye said.
During the operation, over 240 makeshift factories were said to have
been discovered, producing counterfeit products under unsanitary conditions.
Adeyeye stated that these factories used harmful chemicals, contaminated
water and recycled bottles to manufacture fake versions of popular brands,
including Hennessy, Seaman Schnapps, Coca-Cola, Sprite, Peak Milk and Hollandia
Yoghurt.
“These criminal elements use unhygienic sources of water, saccharin,
colouring agents, and harmful chemicals unsuitable for human consumption. The
adulteration of alcoholic beverages involves cheaper sugars and starches
instead of fruits or grapes,” Adeyeye explained.
She added that over 1,500 cartons of fake products were destroyed
on-site, with the total street value of the seized and destroyed goods
estimated at N5 billion.
The NAFDAC boss noted that the operation also led to the discovery of
three warehouses stockpiling expired Hollandia Yoghurt for revalidation on
January 22.
The Cemetery Market has been notorious for producing fake alcoholic
drinks, carbonated beverages, and food products.
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