The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has intercepted and seized more than 120 bags of counterfeit rice from more than ten companies in Port Harcourt at its Rivers State zonal office.
The agency alerted traders and consumers to be wary of counterfeit or rebagged rice being traded by fraudulent traders.
NAFDAC Rivers State coordinator, Emmanuel Onogwu, accused the agency, in conjunction with Big Bull rice manufacturers, of invading markets in Woji, Mile 3, and Mile 1 to fish out counterfeit Big Bull rice.
Apart from a statement signed on Thursday by Cyril Monye, Public Relations Officer of NAFDAC South-South Zone, the agency revealed that a shop at Woji’s YKC axis had been found to be a key supply point of counterfeit rice.
It further stated that when they raided the factory, the investigators seized massive amounts of empty fake Big Bull rice bags, as well as other brands such as Cap Rice, Stallion Rice, Tomato Rice, and Mama Pride Rice.
According to the statement, one of the salesgirls, Ogechi Okafor, was arrested within the premises in connection with the illicit business. Some rebagging-related materials were confiscated, including sewing and sealing machines, a generator set, a stove, thread, and rebagged rice.
The state coordinator of NAFDAC, Onogwu, warned that rebagged rice often comes from questionable sources and is “polished with harmful chemicals to enhance its appearance, posing serious health risks to consumers.”
