Lagos residents have raised an alarm over the presence of two brands of tin tomato which have the same National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration number.

Daily Sun’s investigation revealed that the 70grammes, 210grammes and larger size of both Toma and Gino tin tomato pastes respectively have NAFDAC number 01-3581 inscribed on them.

One of the deputy directors of NAFDAC, at Oshodi office, who pleaded for anonymity, described the situation as “abnormal.” Daily Sun discovered that all these products were packaged for Watanmal Group, China. It was gathered that some Ginos are from Italy and bear the same NAFDAC number 01-3581, but no manufactured and expiry dates on some.

Traders in Lagos are astonished that such popular products have the same NAFDAC number.
Mama Shina, one of the traders at Oshodi Market, asked: “Whose fault now? Is it the fault of we traders or NAFDAC? NAFDAC cannot say they don’t know about this. They all use the products.”
A source at the public relations office of NAFDAC at Oshodi, Lagos, said the regulatory body would have by now waded into the problem between the two importers of the brands of products, adding that it could be connected with the registration. Another source disclosed that one of the importers has written a petition to NAFDAC.

The deputy director of NAFDAC, at the Victoria Island office, said there were other issues the body was handlling. She alleged that the products without NAFDAC number were fake brought in from Cotonou by smugglers.

When probed further on which of the products with same number is fake, the deputy director referred Daily Sun to NAFDAC registration unit, Oshodi. NAFDAC officers at the Oshodi office, where our reporter earlier visited, referred Daily Sun to their Victoria Island office.

Meanwhile, there was a mild drama at NAFDAC office on Victoria when Daily Sun visited. The deputy director had insisted that the reporter produce the receipt with which he bought the tin tomato even when she had been told that it was bought from one of the hawkers at Oshodi market.
As if that was not enough, she insisted that the journalist should put his findings in writing, in form of petition.

She said: “How do we know where you picked them from? You should have come with the receipt.
“You don’t have to mention your name. D-G has said we appreciate every bit of informaton. You can even bring it to the office of the director. You don’t have to go to the D-G. Just write it now.”

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/crimewatch/2008/apr/17/crimewatch-17-04-2008-001.htm

bluehorizo:


The deputy director of NAFDAC, at the Victoria Island office, said there were other issues the body was handlling. She alleged that the products without NAFDAC number were fake brought in from Cotonou by smugglers.

When probed further on which of the products with same number is fake, the deputy director referred Daily Sun to NAFDAC registration unit, Oshodi. NAFDAC officers at the Oshodi office, where our reporter earlier visited, referred Daily Sun to their Victoria Island office.

Meanwhile, there was a mild drama at NAFDAC office on Victoria when Daily Sun visited. The deputy director had insisted that the reporter produce the receipt with which he bought the tin tomato even when she had been told that it was bought from one of the hawkers at Oshodi market.
As if that was not enough, she insisted that the journalist should put his findings in writing, in form of petition.
She said: “How do we know where you picked them from? You should have come with the receipt.
“You don’t have to mention your name. D-G has said we appreciate every bit of informaton. You can even bring it to the office of the director. You don’t have to go to the D-G. Just write it now.”

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/crimewatch/2008/apr/17/crimewatch-17-04-2008-001.htm

What is the significance of NAFDAC numbers, for those of us who have never really paid much attention to such things?

Kobojunkie:

What is the significance of NAFDAC numbers, for those of us who have never really paid much attention to such things?

When the NAFDAC number is issued to you by the agency; it is believed your product have passed all the necessary safety test. It also helps in quick identification and access to all registered goods in the country.