Juliet Jacob Ochenje
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned that violators of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (MBS) risk going to jail for a period of two years, in addition to forfeiting their products.
The state Coordinator of NAFDAC in Bauchi, Mrs Josephine Dayilim, stated this at a one day orientation for media practitioners and social media influencers on Sunday.
“NAFDAC would prosecute and ensure that violators were jailed for a period of two years and that such companies or individuals would forfeit the offending items on conviction,” she warned.
The orientation was on promotion and biannual meeting for reporting to amplify Maternal Infant and Young child Nutrition (MIYCN) activities, organised by Alive and Thrive FHI360.
Dayilim urged journalists to support NAFDAC in monitoring and reporting manufacturers who violate the code.
She added that its implementation will protect, promote and support breastfeeding and prevent health caregivers from aggressive marketing of breast milk substitute.
The coordinator also noted that lack of awareness of stakeholders, including the media, had also contributed to the gravity of violations currently being practiced.
