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Summary
NAFDAC uncovered an illegal operation in Lagos involving fake chemicals, expired food flavours, and pharmaceutical materials worth over N1 billion. The agency warns that these substances pose serious health risks and vows to prosecute those responsible.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a massive illegal operation in the Alapere area of Ketu, Lagos State. This involved selling and repackaging fake chemicals, expired food flavourings, unauthorised fertilisers, and pharmaceutical raw materials valued at over N1 billion.
Dr Martins Iluyomade, NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, said the raid was conducted following credible intelligence about a criminal network engaged in large-scale food and chemical counterfeiting.
“We received information about individuals posing as legitimate business operators while engaging in activities that seriously endanger public health,” he stated. “Using expired chemicals means that the final product cannot be safe or effective. That is a serious health risk.”
According to him, the culprits were selling expired and unregistered chemicals commonly used in producing food and drugs, exposing consumers to grave health risks. NAFDAC also discovered controlled substances and high-risk fertilisers in the warehouse, which require special authorisation from the National Security Adviser.
“This individual had fertilisers and additives meant to be handled only by licensed end users or government agencies. One of the most disturbing discoveries is that many of these food-grade products came from a registered importer yet found their way into unregulated hands,” he said.
Further insight into the recovered items included expired food flavourings such as roasted beef, roasted chicken, tiger nut essence, Chinook, and pharmaceutical ingredients like metronidazole benzoate.
He warned that these expired substances cannot be revalidated and must be destroyed according to NAFDAC protocols:
“When expired chemicals are used to make drugs, you won’t know unless a lab test is done. That’s the real danger,” he warned.
NAFDAC confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and may implicate registered multinationals and distributors who supplied the materials. The suspect behind the operation must report to the NAFDAC Investigation and Enforcement Directorate in Apapa or face legal consequences.
NAFDAC also reiterated that companies handling food and pharmaceutical-grade chemicals must adhere to strict disposal procedures, warning that non-compliance would attract serious sanctions.
