The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed off three major warehouses in Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State, over alleged illegal rebagging of rice. The move follows concerns about food safety and the potential risk to consumers.
The NAFDAC Coordinator in Ekiti State, Mrs. Stella Dosumu, stated that the warehouses were shut down due to serious violations of the agency’s regulations. The action was taken to protect the public from deceptive practices that could compromise food quality and safety.
This development comes as the agency’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to cracking down on those involved in illegal activities related to regulated food and drug products. She warned that individuals engaging in such practices would face the full weight of the law.
A statement released in Ado Ekiti on Friday revealed that the operation was carried out on Wednesday, March 11, 2025, after NAFDAC received a tip-off from a concerned citizen. The informant reported that rice was being illegally repackaged in some warehouses. Following this information, NAFDAC officials conducted surveillance on the locations and confirmed the allegations.
During the inspection, authorities found large quantities of empty bags branded with the names of well-known local and foreign rice brands. Additionally, they discovered already rebagged rice, along with sewing and sealing machines used for the rebagging process.
The managers of the warehouses reportedly refused to disclose the source of the rice, raising further concerns about its quality and safety. The agency noted that such practices could mislead consumers and pose potential health risks.
As a precaution, NAFDAC confiscated the empty branded bags and took samples of the rebagged rice for laboratory testing. The warehouses have been sealed pending the outcome of these tests. Regulatory actions will be determined based on the laboratory findings.
“The public is hereby reassured that the agency will continue to pursue her mandate of safeguarding the health of the citizens, by ensuring both drug and food safety in Nigeria,” the statement added.
