NAFDAC intensifies regulatory, sensitisation activities in Yobe

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it intensified regulatory and public sensitisation activities across Yobe in the first half of 2025.

Mr Lawan Dadingelma, Yobe Coordinator of NAFDAC, made this known in an interview with our correspondent on Wednesday in Damaturu.

Dadingelma said the agency embarked on various campaigns and enforcement actions to ensure public safety and compliance with regulatory standards.

He said that the office carried out sensitisation exercises at the fruit and vegetable markets in Damaturu and Gashua, warning against the use of calcium carbide for ripening fruits and vegetables.

He said that the public was also sensitised on the dangers of using harmful chemicals to preserve agricultural produce such as beans, groundnuts, millet, and other food items.

Dadingelma said that the agency equally held meetings with associations of water and bakery producers to promote adherence to safety standards.

He added that the agency conducted awareness sessions on good warehousing practices for drinks and soft drinks.

“NAFDAC intensified regulatory monitoring activities in Damaturu, Potiskum, Gashua, and Geidam Local Government Areas, focusing on water production and bakeries.

“We also held an engagement with herbal product manufacturers in the state and sensitised local rice millers in Potiskum on best practices.

“Sanctions were imposed on patent medicine vendors found violating regulations, while drug hawkers across the state were similarly penalised.

“The agency also engaged NGOs, including the Society for Family Health, to enhance collaborative public health advocacy,” he said.

Dadingelma pointed out that the efforts were part of their mandate to safeguard public health and ensure that all regulated products met required safety standards.