The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed 18 warehouses in Bida, Niger State, after uncovering expired food and beverage items valued at over ₦100 million.
In a press statement issued by the agency, the enforcement action was said to have been carried out by NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate following credible intelligence.
The affected facilities, situated around Ndazabo White House along Minna Road and behind Bida Modern Market, were found stocked with expired non-alcoholic drinks, dairy products, sweets, bottled water and pasta. Some of the items had already been repackaged and readied for circulation.
Products retrieved from the locations include about 80,000 packs of non-alcoholic beverages, 5,000 packs of dairy milk, 16,000 packs of bottled water and 28 cartons of pasta, alongside other expired goods.
Warehouse managers have been taken into custody for questioning. Early investigations traced the operations to BY Ventures. Further checks at supermarkets run by the company in Minna uncovered more expired items as well as suspected counterfeit Goya oil. The outlets have been shut, while the Managing Director has been invited for questioning.
The agency warned that the distribution and consumption of expired products pose serious health dangers. It urged consumers to examine expiry dates before making purchases and to alert the nearest NAFDAC office to any suspicious activity.
NAFDAC restated its resolve to safeguard public health and ensure that only safe and quality products are available in the Nigerian market.
The statement reads, “NAFDAC has sealed 18 warehouses in Bida, Niger State, following the discovery of large quantities of expired food and beverage products valued at over ₦100 million. The operation, carried out by NAFDAC’s Investigation & Enforcement Directorate, was based on credible intelligence.
“The affected warehouses, located around Ndazabo White House along Minna Road and behind Bida Modern Market, contained expired non-alcoholic beverages, dairy products, candies, bottled water, and pasta, some already packaged for distribution.
Recovered items include about 80,000 packets of non-alcoholic drinks, 5,000 packets of dairy milk, 16,000 packets of bottled water, and 28 cartons of pasta, among other expired products.
“Warehouse managers were arrested for interrogation, with preliminary findings linking the facilities to BY Ventures. Subsequent inspections at supermarkets operated by the company in Minna led to the discovery of additional expired products and suspected counterfeit Goya oil. The supermarkets have been sealed, and the Managing Director has been invited for further investigation.
“NAFDAC warns that the sale and consumption of expired products pose serious health risks. Members of the public are advised to remain vigilant by checking product expiry dates before purchase and reporting suspicious activities to the nearest NAFDAC office.
“The Agency reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring that only safe, quality products are available to Nigerians.”
