14 hours ago
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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has seized over 120 bags of counterfeit rice from more than 10 shops in Port Harcourt and has confiscated the products at its zonal office in Rivers State.
The agency warned traders and consumers to be cautious of fake or rebagged rice being sold by unscrupulous individuals.
NAFDAC’s coordinator in Rivers State, Emmanuel Onogwu, revealed that the agency, in collaboration with the producers of Big Bull rice, conducted a raid on markets in Woji, Mile 3, and Mile 1, where counterfeit Big Bull rice was being sold.
In a statement on Thursday, signed by the Public Relations Officer of NAFDAC South-South Zone, Cyril Monye, the agency disclosed that a shop in the YKC axis of Woji was identified as a major supply point for fake rice.
It added that during a raid on the facility, authorities discovered large quantities of empty counterfeit bags of Big Bull rice, along with other brands such as Cap Rice, Stallion Rice, Tomato Rice, and Mama Pride Rice.
According to the statement, a salesgirl identified as Ogechi Okafor was arrested at the scene in connection with the illegal operation. Several items used in the rebagging process were recovered, including sewing and sealing machines, generator set, stove, thread, and rebagged rice.
The state coordinator of NAFDAC, Onogwu, warned that rebagged rice often comes from questionable sources and is “polished with harmful chemicals to enhance its appearance, posing serious health risks to consumers.”
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