The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and
Control (NAFDAC), says the operators of fake wine factories raided in Abia
threatened people who challenged their activities.
NAFDAC had closed the market involved in the counterfeit
production of a variety of beverages including wines, soft drinks and
consumables in Eziukwu market (Cemetery market) Aba, Abia State.
In a statement on Monday, Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC
director-general, said after an intelligence tip-off, it discovered that the
“dastard activity has been going on for a long time and they operate like a
cartel threatening anyone who dares challenge them”.
Adeyeye said some of the nefarious activities of the
counterfeiters included the manufacturing of all kinds of adulterated products
especially different kinds of wine from a wide variety of brands.
She said the brands are Seaman Schnapps, Henessy, Four
Cousins, Carlo Rossi, Jenney, Chelsea London Dry Gin, Schnapp Dry Gin,
McDowells, Black Labels, Gordons, Martell, Campari and Smirnoff ice.
Others are Eva non-alcoholic drink, Eva non-alcoholic drink,
and others.
The counterfeiters, according to Adeyeye, also indulged in
date revalidation for expired products like Peak milk, powdered milk, ketchup,
yoghurt, and Coca-Cola products.
She said the fake and substandard products were later sold
to unsuspecting members of the public for consumption.
“Over 1500 cartons of the fake and substandard products were
destroyed during the operation while 300 cartons were evacuated to NAFDAC
warehouse,” Adeyeye said.
“The street value of the confiscated and destroyed fake
products is estimated at over seven hundred and fifty million naira only.
(N750,000,000). Ten people were arrested on arrival at the scene of the crime
and will be charged to court after a thorough investigation.”
‘BE VIGILANT,
SCRUTINISE BRANDED DRINKS’
In alerting the public this yuletide season, NAFDAC said
Nigerians should be vigilant and always scrutinise branded drinks to
distinguish them from counterfeits before consuming them.
“Only buy only NAFDAC-registered drinks from reputable and
licenced retailers, bars and supermarkets,” the agency said.
“If the product is being sold well below its normal price,
or doesn’t seem to include normal taxes on liquors, then it is probably fake.
“Check for poor quality packaging, spelling mistakes and
unusually shaped bottles. Look for the contact information and address of the
manufacturer. If it is missing, the alcohol is fake. Inspect the seal on the
bottle.
“If the seal is broken or damaged, then the contents might
have been interfered with and are not safe to drink. Check for fake barcodes.
If you have an app on your mobile that scans barcodes, scan it and see if it is
listed as the correct product.
“Beware of bad smells! If it smells like paint stripper or
nail polish remover, then it probably is.”
NAFDAC said it will continue to ensure the level of
counterfeit products nationwide is reduced so people will continue to consume
only healthy and safe products.
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