The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed a Chinese supermarket in Abuja for allegedly selling products labeled entirely in Chinese, violating regulatory standards.
The supermarket, located at Azba Mall on 2 Durban Street, Wuse 2, was shut down on Monday following an enforcement operation led by NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Shaba Mohammed.
Regulatory Breach and Investigation
Mr. Mohammed, who also chairs the Federal Task Force on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs, and Unwholesome Processed Foods, revealed that the agency acted on credible information about the supermarket’s operations.
According to him, over 90% of the products sold in the supermarket were labeled in Chinese, rendering them incomprehensible to local consumers and breaching NAFDAC regulations that mandate English labeling for imported goods.
Additionally, some of the items on the shelves were found to have expired, posing health risks to unsuspecting customers.
Statement from NAFDAC
“The supermarket was sealed for violating NAFDAC regulations,” Mr. Mohammed stated. “An investigation will be conducted to determine how these goods, labeled entirely in a foreign language, entered the country. We will also inspect their warehouse to prevent further distribution of these products.”
He emphasized that allowing items without proper labeling into the market undermines consumer safety and regulatory oversight. “Even if they had approval to import, the products must carry English labeling for Nigerian consumers to understand the contents and expiration dates.”
Next Steps
NAFDAC plans to summon the supermarket’s owner for further investigation. If found culpable, the agency may impose administrative penalties or take other regulatory actions.
“This case may not necessarily go to court, but we will ensure that appropriate actions are taken. The supermarket might have bypassed regulatory procedures at the port, which is unacceptable,” Mr. Mohammed added.
Consumer Advisory
NAFDAC advised consumers to remain vigilant and report any products with unclear labeling or suspicious origins. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring compliance with food and drug regulations across the country.
