NAFDAC Cracks Down: 240 Factories Closed for Adulterated Goods

For the second time in two years, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has closed more than 240 establishments that produce tainted wines and beverages at Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia State.

The agency declared on Tuesday that Operation Clean Up Aba, the new name for the raid, is a forceful attempt to stop the sale of counterfeit and inferior goods in Nigeria.

The Cemetery market, according to NAFDAC, is the most feared and current shelter for Africa's biggest cartel network that manufactures counterfeit goods.

The local factories were found to be adulterating a number of brands, including Seaman Schnapps, Henessy, Four Cousins, Carlo Rossi, Jenney, Chelsea London Dry Gin, Schnapp Dry Gin, McDowells, Black Labels, Gordons, Martell, Campari, Smirnoff Ice, Eva Non-Alcoholic Drink, and Evra Non-Alcoholic Drink.

She disclosed that the production of various contaminated goods, particularly wine varieties from a wide range of labels, was one of the counterfeiters' evil schemes.

We conducted raids on more than 240 stores that had been converted into factories that produced and sold the dangerous goods.

"The stores that have been converted into factories are extremely dirty, using water from unsanitary sources, dangerous chemicals, coloring, saccharin, and soiled recycled bottles, as well as counterfeit packaging materials from other brands." Criminal elements in the nation mix less expensive sources of sugar and starch, such as grapes or fruit, with other dangerous compounds that are unfit for human consumption to adulterate alcoholic beverages.
 

During the operation, more than 1500 boxes of counterfeit and inferior goods were destroyed. Over N750,000,000 is the estimated street value of the counterfeit goods that were seized and burned in 2023. Five billion naira is the estimated value of the merchandise that were cleaned up during the operation on December 15, 2024, Adeyeye said.

Milk products and fake drinks were cleaned up.

Popular soft and carbonated drinks like Fanta, Coca-Cola, Schweppes, Lacasera, Sprite, Hollandia Yoghurt, Super Commando Energy Drink, Feyrouz, and Amstel Malta were among the products revalidated and mopped up during this operation. Other products included counterfeit home-use beverages like Peak and Cowbell sachet milk, Peak chocolate drink, Miksi sachet milk, and adulterated versions of Ovaltine.
 

These fake goods were manufactured earlier, presented in attractive packaging, and offered for sale to gullible customers. NAFDAC has conveyed its gratitude to the Abia State Government, under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti, and local stakeholders, such as the market's interim management committee and the mayor of Aba South, for their steadfast assistance.

During the January 22, 2025, investigation, NAFDAC also found three large warehouses storing expired Hollandia Yoghurt for revalidation.

Dedication to public health

In keeping with its mission to protect Nigerians' health, NAFDAC urges the public to report any suspected counterfeit or subpar regulated goods to the NAFDAC office that is closest to them.