NAFDAC cracks down on illegal sachet water production

By Aderogba George
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Tuesday cracked down on illegal sachet water production in Dutse Alhaji and Dawaki, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The enforcement exercise led to the confiscation and closure of multiple facilities producing sachet water in unsafe environments, using substandard equipment, and failing to meet regulatory standards.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the operation uncovered several facilities where multiple individuals were fraudulently claiming ownership of the same sachet water brand.

Mr Kenneth Azikiwe, Director of NAFDAC’s FCT directorate, told journalists that over 40 illegal water factories had been shut down across the FCT as part of enforcement efforts.

He said the operation had entered a critical phase, forming part of a broader campaign to ensure all food and beverage manufacturers comply with stringent quality and safety standards.

The director explained that the operation followed a direct order from NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, who stressed adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

“This directive comes amid rising concerns over producers using substandard materials, stamping products with unauthorised identification numbers, and operating in unsafe conditions,” he stated.

He revealed that more than 14 bakeries had also been shut down in key FCT areas, including Mararaba, Nyanya, Zuba, and Gwagwalada, due to non-compliance with safety regulations.

The agency collaborated with the Nigerian police and other security forces to carry out the enforcement exercise, ensuring strict action against violators of health and safety standards.

“This operation required strong synergy and collective commitment to tracking down individuals involved in the illegal manufacturing and distribution of substandard products,” he said.

He emphasised that the crackdown reinforced NAFDAC’s commitment to consumer safety while serving as a stern warning to manufacturers who bypass regulatory requirements.

According to him, NAFDAC’s comprehensive inspection and subsequent shutdown of facilities demonstrated its firm stance on quality assurance and the protection of public health.

Azikiwe urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and purchase consumable products only from reputable and properly registered sources to avoid health risks.

He added that NAFDAC would extend its investigation to printing presses supplying unauthorised NAFDAC numbers to illegal sachet water producers, aiming to dismantle the supply chain.

Dr Promise Ogbonna, Assistant Director at NAFDAC and a lead officer in the enforcement, condemned the severe hygiene and safety violations uncovered during the operation.

Ogbonna highlighted the public health risks posed by unhygienic sachet water production, noting that all the shutdown facilities lacked essential water treatment components.

She stated that illegal manufacturers breached safety codes by operating in poorly designed facilities with inadequate packaging controls and multiple unregistered brand names.

“There is no treatment plant, no sand filter, no carbon filter, and the UV sterilisation light is non-functional,” she explained, detailing the shocking findings at the sites.

She added that the facilities were illegally drilling untreated water and supplying it to the public without proper registration or compliance with NAFDAC safety standards.

She said toilets were inappropriately positioned facing production areas, and bags of water were found scattered around, further compromising hygiene and product safety.

“There was no proper storage or sterilisation process for packaging materials, which are critical control points in water production,” Ogbonna stated.

She demonstrated her findings by holding sachets of water from brands such as Alpha and Omega, Kegonis, Al-Nurain, Asig, and Concept—all produced by the same illegal operator.

Mohammed Asian, a worker at one of the facilities, admitted that the ‘Concept’ sachets were printed by a supplier he was personally familiar with. (NAN)