NAFDAC Raids Fake Goya Oil Factory, Warns Nigerians.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against the use of Goya oil sold in PET plastic bottles.
The warning was issued on Friday during a media parley held at the agency’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate office in Lagos.
The agency describes the products as fake and unsafe for consumption.
NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Dr Martins Iluyomade, said Goya oil sold in plastic bottles was not licensed by the agency.
“Goya oil sold in plastic bottles is fake. The only approved product is imported in original bottles by authorised dealers,” Iluyomade told journalists.
He disclosed that the agency uncovered a large-scale production of fake Goya oil at the Oke-Arin market in Idumota, Lagos.
According to him, the counterfeit product was made by mixing burnt palm oil with colouring before being repackaged and sold as Goya oil to unsuspecting consumers.
“We discovered a factory producing fake Goya oil. Palm oil, colouring, stoves and empty bottles were recovered at the site,” he said.
Iluyomade warned that many Nigerians were unknowingly using the harmful product packaged in PET bottles.
He also cautioned religious organisations against allowing the sale of PET-bottled Goya oil during gatherings, stressing that offenders would be prosecuted.
The NAFDAC director urged Nigerians to report suspected counterfeiting activities to the nearest NAFDAC office for immediate action.
He warned counterfeiters to desist from such activities, assuring that the agency would pursue individuals endangering Nigerians’ health for quick profit.
