The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut a warehouse in and arrested two suspects over allegations of altering expiry dates on products in Plateau State
Officials of NAFDAC’s North Central Zone, led by Director Kenneth Azikiwe, discovered expired items, including wines and hot drinks, that were relabeled to mislead consumers.
Azikiwe explained that chemicals were used to remove original expiry and manufacturing dates before new labels were applied. He said the suspects were selling the products in small quantities to avoid detection.
The suspects, Yusuf Hassan and Emma Nwobi, were taken into custody, while authorities continue to investigate and identify others involved.
The Plateau State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Dr Obida Musa, condemned the act, calling it “reckless and dangerous” to public health. He urged consumers to check product labels carefully and report suspicious items to NAFDAC.
Hassan, one of the arrested suspects, pleaded for leniency, claiming he did not know the products had been tampered with. “I only supplied the items. I didn’t intend to deceive anyone. The original expiry was 2020, but it was changed to 2027. I didn’t know,” he said.
NAFDAC said the operation forms part of a nationwide effort to remove unregistered, expired, falsified, or banned products from circulation, particularly ahead of the festive season.
