Smuggled Pasta, Sugar, Noodles Hit Markets — NAFDAC Issues Red Alert
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a major red alert following the discovery of increasing volumes of smuggled and prohibited food items circulating across Nigerian markets, warning that the development poses serious risks to public health and violates National import laws.
The Agency raised the alarm in a statement signed by its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, on Saturday, December 6, 2025, in Abuja. According to NAFDAC, the banned food items – pasta, noodles, sugar, and tomato paste are all listed on the Federal Government’s Customs Prohibition List, which means they are not authorised for importation into the Country under any circumstances.
Prof. Adeyeye said the Agency’s surveillance teams uncovered disturbing patterns showing that the items are being smuggled into Nigeria through unapproved routes, bypassing mandatory safety checks and legal import procedures.
“The circulation of these prohibited items undermines the integrity of Nigeria’s food control system and puts consumers at significant health risks, as they have not undergone NAFDAC’s required safety evaluation and quality assurance,” the DG warned.
Nationwide Market Surveillance Intensified
NAFDAC disclosed that intensified market surveillance operations are already underway in major cities and rural markets. Enforcement Officers have been deployed to supermarkets, warehouses, border communities, and distribution hubs believed to be key points for the entry and circulation of the unregistered goods.
The Agency ordered all importers, market traders, distributors, and supermarket operators to immediately cease the importation, sale, and distribution of all products listed under the Customs Prohibition List. Store owners were also instructed to remove the banned items from their shelves without delay.
Severe Penalties Await Offenders
NAFDAC warned that non-compliance would attract heavy sanctions, including:
- Seizure and destruction of all illegal products
- Suspension or complete revocation of operational licences
- Arrest and prosecution of offenders under national food safety and trade laws
Prof. Adeyeye emphasized that the Agency would intensify clampdowns until the circulation of the prohibited items is fully halted.
Call for Multi-Agency Enforcement
To strengthen the fight, NAFDAC called on several key Government bodies, such as the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Nigeria Shippers Council, Nigerian Ports Authority, NIMASA, and the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, to work collaboratively to block illegal entry points and ensure consistent enforcement across all channels.
The DG stressed that multi-Agency coordination is essential to dismantling smuggling networks and safeguarding the nation’s food supply chain.
Public Awareness and Reporting
The Agency urged Nigerians to exercise caution when purchasing food products and avoid items that appear unregistered, suspicious, or unusually cheap.
Consumers and traders were encouraged to report violations or suspicious products to NAFDAC’s Post-Marketing Surveillance Division via pms@nafdac.gov.ng.
NAFDAC reassured the public of its unwavering commitment to protecting the health and safety of Nigerians and enforcing strict compliance with established regulatory standards.
