The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned producers of locally made zobo, tigernut drinks and other packaged beverages against selling their products without obtaining mandatory registration and safety certification.
The agency maintained that every packaged food and beverage product manufactured for commercial distribution in Nigeria must undergo laboratory testing and receive NAFDAC approval before entering the market.
NAFDAC’s Resident Media and Communication Consultant, Sayo Akintola, disclosed this in an interview with The Punch, stressing that the requirement applies to both small-scale and large-scale manufacturers.
According to him, producers must submit samples of their products for laboratory analysis to establish that they meet the required safety standards and are fit for human consumption.
He said the agency’s responsibility was to protect Nigerians from unsafe food products disguised as consumables.
“All packaged food products are required to have NAFDAC certify their safety for human consumption. Samples of your products must undergo NAFDAC laboratory testing to ensure that what you claim is food is not poison in disguise. It’s the responsibility of the Agency to safeguard the health of the Nation,” Akintola stated.
He further explained that NAFDAC registration is compulsory for businesses involved in manufacturing, importing, distributing and selling products under the agency’s regulatory control.
The requirement covers food products, cosmetics, dietary supplements, pharmaceutical products, packaged water and medical devices.
Akintola warned that businesses operating without the necessary approvals risk having their products seized, production facilities shut down and operators prosecuted under applicable federal laws.
The clarification follows public outrage and debate over a viral video showing police officers questioning a woman selling bottled zobo drinks in Delta State and demanding evidence of NAFDAC registration, including the product’s registration number and labels.
The incident has reignited conversations about regulatory compliance and the obligations of small-scale entrepreneurs engaged in the production and sale of locally manufactured beverages.
NAFDAC’s latest position makes it clear that locally produced drinks are not exempt from food safety regulations simply because they are made by small businesses.
