Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Tag: Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye

Nigeria Food Products Export, NAFDAC Adopts Steps To Address International Market Rejects
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
To address the incidences of rejection of Nigeria’s food products Exports to the United Kingdom and the international market, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Development, NAFDAC, said it has adopted six steps to change the narratives.
The NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye at a meeting with the UK FSA between Nigeria and UK Trade and Investment meeting in London, made the move to change Nigeria’s food export narrative in the international market.
Adeyeye who was represented by
Dr. Abimbola Adegboye, Director, Ports Inspection Directorate and Head of Office of Trade and International Relations engaged the FSA on the unabated incidences of reject of Nigerian food products exported to the United Kingdom.
According to the NAFDAC DG, in a recent meeting with FSA, the agency is commencing on six regulatory-measure approaches to address the reject situation.
” These include immediate inclusion and implementation, of NAFDAC Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Hygienic Practices (GHP) and Laboratory testings (e.g., mycotoxin, pesticide residue, and heavy metals) certification for the regulated products – food, drug, and others by the National Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) as administered by the FGN appointed Pre-shipment Inspection Agents (PIAs).”
“Inclusion of NAFDAC in the CBN Export Proceed (NXP) form processing.”
“Engagement with the Comptroller General of Customs as the new administrator of the Nigeria Single Window Trade portal to facilitate this. Engagement with CBN (Trade and Exchange Division) and Federal Ministry of Finance (Home Finance). Strengthening in-country regulatory infrastructures on export, such as listed food products.”
“Development and introduction of NAFDAC Regulations on Export 2022, already hosted on NAFDAC website with e-copy sent to exporters, trade associations and professional bodies for their inputs and comments within the next 60 days that started from 11th October 2023.”
“NAFDAC Registration of all exporters of its Regulated Products in addition to the general registration by Nigerian Exports Promotion Council (NEPC).”
Continuations of awareness and sensitization meetings with the export trade operators to reviewed guidelines on export of NAFDAC regulated products using the NAFDAC website for compliance.
Collaboration with NAFDAC’s sister Agencies, and major trading partners on safety and quality of Nigerian exports, starting with UK and EU.
Evidence-based national monitoring of Pesticide Residues as part of continuous engagement with the UK FSA, and as a road map for the lifting of the ban on dried beans by the first quarter of 2024.
Continuous engagements with CBN, FMOF, NCS, NAQS and, externally, with the European Union (EU).
Adeyeye disclosed that these steps have started yielding positive results with EU reduction of Nigeria’s melon inspection from 100% to 50%.
In the interim, I implore all Nigerian exporters trading in NAFDAC regulated products to obtain necessary certifications for processing of their products, she advised.
These could be processed, semi-processed, food-destined for further processing or bulk food such as cocoa, sesame seed, groundnut, melon, or grains (e.g., beans, indigenous rice, etc.) tea materials, ogbonno and melon; drugs, cosmetics, chemicals, agrochemicals, beverages, fruit juices, and medical devices, the DG stated.
She disclosed her moves to engage key and strategic trading partners, such as the Trade Departments of the Nigerian Embassy and Nigerian High Commission to the UK, among others.
“Engagement with operators and regulators in the export trade facilitation such as ANCLA, Shippers Council, Nigerian Customs Service, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Nigerian Investment Promotion Council, Central Bank of Nigeria, Standards Organization of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment.”
Adeyeye noted some challenges confronting the Nigeria’s food export include the unwillingness of exporters to comply with minimal sanitary and phytosanitary measures required for exports to countries with stringent market access.
“Poor packaging, disregard for importation requirements of trading partners countries
Penchant for sourcing from open markets for exports without any form of minimal safety or quality specifications .”
Unwillingness to invest in pre-export activities that help to ensure sustainable export, among other things, she emphasized.
October 18, 2023
No Plastic in Golden Penny Semovita – NAFDAC
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has responded to a viral social media video claiming that Golden Penny Semovita contains plastic or harmful contaminants. NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has urged the public to disregard these claims and exercise caution when using social media to address concerns about regulated products.
In the video, a woman is seen washing Golden Penny Semovita in a sieve with cold water, alleging that the residue left behind is plastic. However, NAFDAC conducted a thorough investigation and found no evidence of plastic or similar harmful substances in Golden Penny Semovita. The agency used internationally accredited laboratories to perform analytical testing on various brands of Semolina, including Golden Penny Semovita, and confirmed its safety.
Semovita is a brand of semolina, a popular wheat flour consumed worldwide. It primarily consists of water, carbohydrates, and gluten-forming proteins, which contribute to its unique properties. Gluten is composed of two protein classes, glutenin and gliadin, that combine with water to form a protein network responsible for the viscoelastic properties of semolina-based products. The rubbery appearance observed in the video is a result of the gluten forming after mixing with water during the washing process. It is important to note that semolina does not contain plastic; it only exhibits viscous and elastic characteristics.
NAFDAC emphasizes that Golden Penny Semovita is safe for consumption and contains the expected components, including the required Vitamin A. The agency advises the public to rely on credible information sources and refrain from spreading misleading claims through social media.
In conclusion, NAFDAC has confirmed the absence of plastic or harmful contaminants in Golden Penny Semovita, urging the public to dismiss the viral video’s claims. Semovita is a semolina-based product that exhibits viscous and elastic properties due to gluten formation, not plastic content. Consumers can continue to enjoy this popular flour without concerns about its safety.
July 18, 2023
Open Market Drug Hawkers Face Jail Term, Prof. Adeyeye Warns
…As NAFDAC vows to combats Artificial fruit ripening
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Director General, Prof. Moji Adeyeye has warned that henceforth open market Drug hawkers who are arrested will be prosecuted and face jail terms.
Adeyeye said, “Drugs are sensitive life-saving commodities which should not be sold on the streets/motor parks or open markets just like any other article of trade.”
“I wish to warn that any Drug Hawker arrested by NAFDAC will be prosecuted, will face a jail term, and our Enforcement Officers are currently carrying out a synchronized nationwide operation. No offender will be spared from facing the full wrath of the Law.”
The NAFDAC DG gave this warning today in Abuja when she officially flagged – off of the NAFDAC Media Sensitization Workshop on Dangers of Drug Hawking and Fruit ripening with Calcium Carbide in Nigeria.
She noted that the media engagement and workshop was pertinent to stem down the prevailing nefarious activities of drug hawking and fruit ripening with Calcium Carbide by sensitizing Nigerians on the dangers of these two practices.
Adeyeye said,” The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has noticed the dangerous practice of sale and consumption of fruits artificially ripened with calcium carbide as well as illegal hawking of drugs in the open market.”
‘The menace of drug hawking poses a serious challenge to the Healthcare Delivery System in the country and this underscored NAFDAC’s resolute determination to totally eradicate the illicit trade.’
Prof. Adeyeye further warned that
most of the drugs sold by the illiterate and semi-literate Drug Hawkers are counterfeit, substandard or expired, and therefore do not meet the quality, safety and efficacy requirements of regulated medicines.
She decried the fact that Prescription drugs are also sold by that mobile Drug Hawkers who also hold consultations, recommend and prescribe medicines to their gullible “patients”.
Speaking on the dangers posed by drug hawkers in the country, the NAFDAC Director General said ,” Drug Hawkers are also the major Distributors and Suppliers of narcotic medicines to criminal networks such as Armed Bandits, Insurgents, Kidnappers and Armed Robbers. Drug Hawkers constitute a serious threat to our national security.”
According to her,NAFDAC is determined to totally eradicate the illicit trade caused by the menace of drug hawking, which poses a serious challenge to the nation’s Healthcare Delivery System in Nigeria.
Drug hawkers who are “indirectly merchants of death ”
equally expose essential medicines to harsh weather which degrades the active ingredients of the medicine and turns them to poisons, thus endangering human lives.
Also speaking on the inherent dangers of consumption of fruits ripening with Calcium Carbide has posed considerable health challenges on Nigerians.
She explained that the consumption of fruits such as mango, banana, plantain, guava, oranges, grapes, etc. or any other fruits ripened with calcium carbide is dangerous to health.
NAFDAC Director, Chemical Evaluation and Research, Dr. Patrick Omkpariola listed the dangers of consuming fruits ripened with Calcium Carbide include stomach upset, mucosal tissue damage in the stomach, disrupt intestinal function, peptic ulcers, kidney problems, affects neurological system.
“Other symptoms of poisoning include diarrhea (with or without blood), burning or tingling sensation in the abdomen and chest, difficulty in swallowing, irritation in the eyes/skin, sore throat, cough, shortness in breathing, numbness etc.”
While eating foods ripened with Calcium Carbide causes headache, dizziness, high sleeplessness, memory loss, cerebral edema, numbness of the legs and hands, general weakness, cold and damp skin, low blood pressure and seizure, Dr. Omkpariola explained.
Also speaking on the effect of artificial ripening on fruit quality, she explained include considerable loss of properties such as color, taste and feel, in addition to loss of the natural aroma and flavor to the fruits.
‘These fruits do not possess uniform color and are less juicy than when ripened naturally and have comparatively shorter shelf life.”
She disclosed that NAFDAC has also taken concrete steps to contain the menace of artificial fruit ripening.
Adeyeye announced that apart from the various ongoing sensitization campaigns and Enforcement activities, NAFDAC has commissioned a scientific study on the best approach towards mitigating the health hazards posed by ripening of fruits with carbides.
She called for collaboration with the media, particularly the Association of Health journalists to be frontliners in educating and sensitizing Nigerians through concerted efforts to eradicate the menace of drug hawking and fruit ripening with Calcium Carbide in Nigeria.
July 12, 2023
Nigeria won’t take expired vaccines again — NAFDAC DG
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), says the agency is working with international partners to ensure Nigeria gets vaccines with long expiration date.
Adeyeye spoke against the backdrop of the one million doses of vaccines that expired in November and were destroyed by NAFDAC and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and the Abuja Environmental Protection Agency.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 1,066,214 doses of expired AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines were destroyed at the Gosa Dumping site in Abuja.
Adeyeye told NAN on Wednesday in Lagos that the expired vaccines had very short expiration which made it impossible to be administered in time due to logistics reasons.
She said: “When developed countries started using vaccine for many months, we didn’t have access to them until we started receiving donations, not just through COVAX alone but from some countries also.
“The expiration date was shorter than what it was supposed to be and between the time we tested and start using it, there was no enough time and that was the only reason not because we were careless.
“But going forward, we are working with international partners to ensure the expiration date of any vaccine we will be receiving are up to five or six months.”
On the new Omnicron variant of COVID-19, the D-G said that studies on the variants was still ongoing globally.
She advised Nigerians to continue to adhere to the safety measures given by the various health authorities to further curb the spread of the virus.
“A lot is still not known about Omicron because studies are still going on globally about the variant.
“The only way to keep safe is to continue with the usage of mask, maintain social distancing, wash our hands regularly and avoid crowded areas to stay safe,” she said.
December 29, 2021