Warehouse for distribution of expired beverages uncovered in Kaduna

By Sani Idris

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said it has uncovered a warehouse where expired non-alcoholic beverages worth about N35 million were being distributed in Kaduna.

Hundreds of packs of Schweppes, Coca-Cola, Fanta beverages were evacuated from the warehouse, Andrew Tamanuwa, Deputy Director, Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, NAFDAC Kaduna Office told journalists in Kaduna on Tuesday.

He also revealed that the warehouse was uncovered after operatives of the agency intercepted two buses and a golf wagon car loaded with expired non-alcoholic beverages

Tamanuwa said that interception of the expired beverages followed a tip-off from a good samaritan on Sunday evening.

According to him, the source informed NAFDAC that two buses and a golf wagon car were loaded with expired non-alcoholic beverages heading to Kwanar Dangora, Kiru LGA in Kano State.

Following the information, he said NAFDAC investigation and enforcement operatives swung into action, intercepted the vehicles and arrested the owner of the expired non-alcoholic beverages.

Tamanuwa said the NAFDAC operatives confiscated the products which comprised 700 packs of Schweppes and 300 packs of Fanta Orange flavour.

He added that further investigation led to a warehouse at Bayajidda Road, Kaduna, where more expired beverages were discovered.

Tamanuwa said the expired beverages included; 588 packs of schweppes, 3,508 packs of Coca-Cola, zero- sugar, and 87 packs of Fanta orange flavor.

He stated that the products expired in November 2024 and had beer evacuated to the agency’s warehouse, awaiting destruction.

Tamanuwa said investigation was ongoing on the case in order to identify other culprits.

He appealed to the public to report suspicious products, especially during the festive period to safeguard public health and protect Nigerians’ health.

Tamanuwa reiterated the agency’s commitment to continuing vigilance against expired and harmful products, assuring Nigerians of its resolve to safeguard their health.

(NAN)