NAFDAC Chief Rejects Sole Blame for Fake Food, Says Fresh Produce Falls Under Agriculture Ministry

Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, has pushed back against Nigerians who blame the agency alone for counterfeit food products in the market. Public concern has grown in recent times over the volume of fake food items in circulation. During the weekend, actress Ruth Kadiri raised an alarm after buying what she described as fake ginger. In a recent interview with Businessday, Adeyeye said Nigerians are 'very ignorant' about NAFDAC's responsibilities and do not read up on its mandate. She explained that oversight of fresh food is handled by the Ministry of Agriculture, not NAFDAC. According to her, the agency's authority covers only processed and semi-processed foods. Adeyeye said the path from production to consumption involves multiple organizations. She noted that NAFDAC does not regulate oranges sold in markets. However, if pesticides are applied to such produce, she said, the agency must help train farmers not to harvest on time, working with the Ministry of Agriculture. She added that the Ministry of Agriculture holds the primary mandate for fresh produce. She also said that because NAFDAC approves and regulates pesticide use, it has a duty to educate farmers on applying these products according to label instructions. Adeyeye pointed to an illiteracy rate of about 56 percent, saying that in a literate country people would read instructions. She cited directions such as 'one teaspoon in one gallon' and said some Nigerians sometimes do not understand, believing that using more is better.