The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and
Control (NAFDAC) has issued a red alert to Nigerians to be wary of the consumption
of gins and wines. NAFDAC’s Ports Head in Enugu State, Mr John Okwori, told
newsmen in Enugu that the agency recently found out that beverage fakers were
focusing on these drinks. NAFDAC recently seized 11 large cartoons of fake
Chelsea Dry Gin labels which could be used to package gins worth N64.76
million. NAFDAC also tracked down and confiscated a large number of fake labels
of Amarula drinks. Okwori, a deputy director in NAFDAC, said that the agency
had commenced a nationwide massive mop-up of these products. “Apart from the
tracking of fake labels imported into the country, the agency is currently
doing a mop-up of substandard, expired and fake spirits, gins and wines in the
market. But we need the co-operation of every Nigerian on this issue. Our
people should be wary of spirits, gins and wines they buy; they should scrutinize them to see that NAFDAC numbers, production dates, manufacturers and
countries of origin are well spelt out. There should be a closer look at the
labels to see that they are the normal and regular labels. They should also
watch out for the colour of the drink through its container, whether it
conforms to the original colour. If there is anything wrong in all these I
have mentioned, do not buy the drink. Your safety and that of your loved ones,
who you are giving or sharing the drink with, should come first,’’ he said.
The
director urged Nigerians to promptly report to the nearest NAFDAC office, about
any drink they might suspect to be fake. “NAFDAC offices are open for public
complaints, enquiries and advice every working day,’’ Okwori added.
Okwori warned
that consuming adulterated drinks could damage vital organs in the body. “It can lead to
kidney, liver or heart complications as well as diseases, especially when such
injurious drinks are consumed in large quantities due to the euphoria of the
yuletide season,’’ he said.
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