The Nigerian National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) took action during the end of December to back up its policy of banning all imported fruit juices from supermarkets and other food and drink outlets. The ban that came into force on 31st December 2016 is an attempt to strengthen and increase the local fruit juice manufacturing industry.
“This country is blessed with rich natural and human resources. Fruits are everywhere wasting” said Mrs Christiana Essenwa, Deputy Director of NAFDAC. “Go to waste dumps and see piles of fruits wasting because we have not been able to fully utilise our potentials”.
Essenwa suggested that some of the juices coming into the country “are not even safe for drinking”, and stated that the agency would continue to carry out raids on imported fruit juices, urging the Nigerian Government to increase its presence at seaports to prevent these products entering the country.
In Onitsha the value of confiscated imported fruit juices was reported to be worth several million of naira and included juices labelled Masafi, Euro drink and Peach.
Sources: Vanguard Nigeria; Ships & Ports.
