The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has sealed off the facilities of 39 illegal packaged water producers in Ogun.

NAFDAC coordinator in Ogun, Mawo Benu, disclosed this in an interview on Wednesday in Ota.

Mr Benu explained that a total of 43 packaged water facilities were inspected during the period. He stated that out of these, 39 were found to be unsatisfactory due to various violations of Good Manufacturing Practices.

He said the affected facilities were subsequently sanctioned.

Mr Benu stated that NAFDAC’s enforcement activities from February to date demonstrated clearly that there was no hiding place for producers of unwholesome and unregistered regulated products.

“NAFDAC has vowed to crack down on the activities of illegal producers and non-compliant facilities within its jurisdiction,” Mr Benu said. “The agency earnestly seeks the collaboration of the public and all concerned stakeholders in our relentless pursuit to rid the nation of unregistered and unsafe products.”

Mr Benu added, “In addition, members of the public are encouraged to report any illegal production sites or suspicious activities to the nearest NAFDAC office to help safeguard public health.”

Benu explained that some facilities, although registered, were found during routine inspections to have fallen below acceptable hygiene standards.

The NAFDAC official noted that the facilities were no longer maintaining the minimum requirements under which they were originally registered.

He listed the observed violations to include operating with expired licenses, production of unapproved pack sizes, swapping facilities to unapproved manufacturing sites, and the use of fake NAFDAC registration numbers for unregistered products.

(NAN)