Why we sanctioned factories, confiscated items, Kwara NAFDAC Co-ordinator reveals

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin 

The Kwara state Coordinator for the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Pharm. Nadabo Nathan has disclosed that some cosmetic companies were sanctioned for offences relating to batch manufacturing records.

He made this disclosure while speaking with Westernpost correspondent in Ilorin.

He said officers of the agency observed lapses when they visited the premises of six cosmetics factories on 14th February this year. According to him, the agency has imposed appropriate sanctions on the affected companies.

“You would have heard that we visited the factories for a routine activity and it’s normal for all the companies we have registered their products. Our routine visit is to ensure they adhere to the standard operating procedures and the best practices for manufacturing a regulated product 

We scheduled visits to some cosmetics factories, it wasn’t only the factory that you heard of. We visited other factories, so we acted on what the officers came back with as reports of the routine visit. For every violation, we imposed a fine on them as a punitive measure and if they are not found wanting we encourage them to go on.

“They had problems with batch manufacturing records and we have given them adequate advice on how to document batch records,” Nadabo said.

Speaking on the ban on liquor in sachets, the state coordinator revealed that immediately after the ban on alcohol in sachets and bottles less than 200ml, the agency commenced enforcement, adding there were demonstrations and petitions from various quarters, but that did not deter the NAFDAC as the management had given the go-ahead to mop up the products from circulation and ensure the companies halt the production of the banned product.

According to him, the agency has been having meetings with producers since 2018, and instructions were handed over to them to wind up production. He stressed that some of the companies found under lock have complied and are no longer manufacturing the items, adding that NAFDAC officials confiscated products from the factory of a company that was caught producing the banned item.

“NAFDAC is the implementing agency. It is not an outright ban on liquor, but a ban on liquor in less than 200ml bottles. The reason is that the sachet liquor is being abused by children and there are health implications when it comes to alcohol. We cannot continue to expose our children and the reason they are exposed is because the sachet is cheap and children can afford it,” he explained.

The coordinator said the level of compliance in the state is relative compared to other states. He commended manufacturers for complying with the rules, admitting there is still much that needs to be done in terms of regulations.

The coordinator advised manufacturers to keep adhering to the agency’s rules and regulations and ensure that the products pushed out are safe for consumers.