NAFDAC Director-General Addresses Nigerians On Fake Products

According to Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the organization does not regulate fresh produce like oranges that are sold directly in markets.
In a recent interview, the NAFDAC DG disclosed this while outlining the agency’s responsibility for controlling counterfeit goods.

Adeyeye claims that while NAFDAC is in charge of processed and semi-processed foods, the Ministry of Agriculture has the primary authority to regulate fresh agricultural produce.

She said, “First of all, we are ignorant in this country, very ignorant. We don’t read, we don’t understand. There are many organisations, many agencies that are involved.

“NAFDAC’s mandate is for processed or semi-processed foods. The oranges you buy in the market, we don’t control the oranges you buy in the market. However, if somebody puts pesticide on that orange, we have to train the farmer.

“It is the Ministry of Agriculture that has the primary mandate for fresh produce. However, because we approve, regulate and control pesticides, we have the obligation to train them on how to use them based on the direction on the label.”

Sometimes, we should try to understand the challenges facing agencies like NAFDAC—it’s not an easy job. While the agency has a responsibility to protect the public, we also need to recognise how our own actions can contribute to the problem. Too often, Nigerians blame NAFDAC for issues that may also stem from unsafe practices by manufacturers, sellers, and consumers. Ultimately, protecting ourselves from fake products requires shared responsibility.