In a decisive crackdown against food and beverage safety violations, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intercepted and confiscated a massive haul of expired non-alcoholic beverages valued at approximately N35 million in Kaduna State.
The operation, triggered by a tip-off from a concerned citizen, led to the seizure of hundreds of packs of expired Schweppes, Coca-Cola, and Fanta products. The beverages were en route to Kwanar Dangora in Kiru Local Government Area of Kano State when NAFDAC operatives intercepted two buses and a Golf wagon carrying the expired drinks on Sunday evening.
“We acted immediately after receiving credible intelligence,” said Andrew Tamanuwa, Deputy Director of the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate at NAFDAC Kaduna Office, during a press briefing on Tuesday. “Our operatives successfully intercepted the vehicles and apprehended the owner of the consignment.”
Following the arrests, NAFDAC’s investigation led to the discovery of a warehouse on Bayajidda Road in Kaduna, where even more expired drinks were being stored for distribution. The stockpile included 588 packs of Schweppes, 3,508 packs of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, and 87 packs of Fanta Orange—all with expiry dates of November 2024.
“These products were not just expired; they were still actively being distributed to unsuspecting consumers,” Tamanuwa stated. “We’ve since evacuated the items to our facility, where they await proper destruction.”
According to NAFDAC, 700 packs of Schweppes and 300 packs of Fanta Orange were among the items seized during the vehicle interception. Tamanuwa emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and may lead to the arrest of additional suspects involved in the illegal distribution network.
He also issued a stern warning to unscrupulous distributors and called on the public to stay vigilant, particularly during festive periods when demand for beverages spikes.
“We are urging Nigerians to report suspicious food and drink products,” he said. “This is a collective fight. We will continue to intensify our surveillance and enforcement actions to ensure only safe and quality products reach consumers.”
The operation underscores NAFDAC’s renewed commitment to cracking down on the distribution of expired and potentially harmful products in Nigeria
