NAFDAC Seals Illegal Herbal Medicine Facility, Water Factories In Kaduna

The National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed seven facilities in Kaduna, including an illegal herbal medicine production facility, five sachet water factories, and a bakery for operating without proper authorization and failing to meet minimum hygiene standards.

The operation, led by NAFDAC's State Coordinator Mr. Nasiru Mato on Wednesday, targeted facilities that were either unregistered with the agency or failed to meet basic operational requirements.

Affected Facilities

The sealed establishments include Aji Garau Herbal Medicine Store, Karkarku Table Water, 1165 Table Water, Zaiba Table Water, Maisalati Table Water, Rumaisa Table Water, and Al-Ihsan Bread.

According to Mato, the facilities were shut down primarily because "they have not met the minimum requirements and it is grossly unhygienic." He emphasized that the businesses were engaged in "illegal production without marketing authorisations" and would remain closed as investigations continue.

Fake NAFDAC Numbers

The NAFDAC coordinator warned consumers that seeing a NAFDAC registration number on products doesn't always guarantee authenticity. "The fact that people see sachet water and other products with NAFDAC number does not mean they are fully registered, because some people fake the numbers by themselves," he explained.

Mato confirmed that the sealed products had not been certified nor licensed by NAFDAC, prompting their removal from the market to protect public health.

Herbal Medicine Violations

Of particular concern was the illegal production of a herbal concoction called "AJI GARAU," which was actively being manufactured during the inspection. Mato noted that the production process "violates all hygiene protocols, standard procedures, equipment, and personnel requirements to guarantee safety, quality, and efficacy of the product."

The NAFDAC team found that all equipment used in the production processes and the finished products themselves were "deceptive and misleading even with location addresses." As a result, the products were seized for further investigation while the facility was sealed as an initial sanction.

Mato reaffirmed NAFDAC's commitment to continue tracking down non-compliant manufacturers throughout Kaduna State to ensure public safety and product quality standards are maintained.