The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed four rice milling businesses in Autabalefi, Masaka main market, and the Masaka motor park area of Nasarawa State over allegations of rebagging rice into counterfeit branded sacks.
During the operation, NAFDAC confiscated several fake bags bearing popular brand names such as Royal Stallion, Tomato, Big Bull, and BUA Rice. The agency also seized sealing machines and two 50kg sacks of rice used in the illegal activity.
In a related action, the Nigerian Brewery depot in Masaka was placed on hold for poor storage practices, with drinks found exposed to direct sunlight—a condition the agency described as unsafe for public health.
NAFDAC’s Deputy Director, Benedicta Obaseki, stated that the enforcement was triggered by citizen complaints and timed to safeguard consumers ahead of the upcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebrations. “We won’t allow substandard food products into the market,” she said, reiterating the agency’s commitment to consumer safety.
Although some of the operators denied the allegations, NAFDAC maintains that the confiscated counterfeit rice will be destroyed to prevent public exposure. The agency urged consumers to remain vigilant by buying only from trusted sellers and checking for genuine NAFDAC registration numbers on food products.
NAFDAC has pledged to continue its nationwide crackdown on food fraud and warned that violators will face stiff penalties as part of ongoing efforts to maintain food safety and quality in Nigerian markets.
