The recent revelation by Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on December 18, 2023, has sent shockwaves throughout the nation, uncovering a clandestine operation in Nigeria where local shops were surreptitiously manufacturing a variety of drinks using banned and hazardous chemicals.
This illicit production aimed to replicate popular brands such as Hennessy, Azul, Amoy, Eagles, Pepsi, Fanta, Malta Guinness, and others, deceiving consumers with counterfeit products.
The NAFDAC swiftly responded by sealing off the implicated facility and dismantling all production equipment. The chemicals employed in the manufacturing process were identified as harmful substances posing serious risks to human health.
The counterfeit drinks, meticulously crafted to mimic well-known brands, were reportedly being circulated to clubs, retailers, and wholesalers across the region.
In response to this threat to public safety, the government has enacted stringent measures, including enforcing laws to apprehend and prosecute individuals, clubs, or companies involved in selling counterfeit beverages.