By Ahmed Rahma
Over 250 bottles of unregistered and substandard hand sanitisers have been seized by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Yobe State.
According to the agency, the items were seized from various shops across the state.
Speaking with newsmen on Monday, NAFDAC Coordinator in the state, Mr Lawan Dadingelma, disclosed that the confiscated items would be destroyed.
Mr Dadingelma noted that the brands were substandard products which would not give members of the public the required protection against COVID-19 and other diseases.
He assured that the agency would continue to carry out surveillance on shops and markets to rid the state of unwholesome products.
According to him, some of the fruits sellers use calcium carbide to ripening their fruits which is hazardous to human health.
He said, “Some unscrupulous elements among fruits sellers apply calcium carbide on their products to achieve a faster ripening effect on the produce.
“In view of the danger, this practice poses on the consumers, three people were arrested in 2020 and their products were confiscated and buried in Damaturu and Potiskum.”
He further revealed that the 80 per cent discount on registration of new Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) introduced by NAFDAC in May 2020 had assisted many people in owning company.
He said some unregistered companies that collapsed about 20 years ago were revived as a result of the discount which was aimed at minimizing the devastating effect of COVID-19 pandemic on MSMEs.
