The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down a food manufacturing company for revalidating expired curry and thyme spices.
A statement on Sunday from the agency said operatives of the Investigation and Enforcement directorate swooped on the main warehouse and factory of Every Rose Limited, manufacturers of SomGeo brand of spices at two locations; Petu Village, Cele 2, Bus Stop Off Ibeju-Lekki; and No. 23, Tunji Lekki,Bello Street, Penuncular Stream 2, Lekki, Lagos respectively following a tip-off.
The statement said the NAFDAC officials discovered that large quantities of expired curry and thyme spices were stored in the warehouse with packaging materials, labels as well as stamps that were being used to illegally revalidate the already expired products (spices).
Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said that the company would be heavily sanctioned for endangering public health.
She said the two locations visited were sealed and placed on hold, adding that the company staff found revalidating the products at the factory have been apprehended and taken to NAFDAC Investigation and Enforcement office for further investigation.
Adeyeye warned that there was no more hiding place for unscrupulous manufacturers and marketers who have turned themselves to merchants of death by making illicit money and sending unsuspecting Nigerian consumers to their early graves through production and sale of falsified and revalidated expired products.
She said the agency would stop at nothing to track down the illicit merchants wherever they are in the country.
The statement signed by the Resident Media Consultant to NAFDAC, Sayo Akintola added that different finished products and working tools were found in the factory while the business owner, a lady, (names withheld) is at large.
Records from NAFDAC show that the company located at 19, Adelajo Ojo Crescent, Magodo, Lagos, registered 16 different products for listing under the brand name SOMGEO and these include SOMGEO Ginger Powder, SOMGEO Garlic Powder, SOMGEO Thyme Leaves and SOMGEO Mixed Spices Powder amongst others. The registration however, expired on December 5, 2017.
