The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has stepped up its enforcement operations in Lagos State, uncovering counterfeit alcoholic beverages, expired food products, and the illegal use of oil tankers designated for transporting edible vegetable oil.

Addressing journalists during a briefing on the agency's recent operations, the Director of the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Martins Iluyomade, said the actions reflect NAFDAC's commitment to safeguarding public health by ensuring that only safe, quality, and properly regulated products are available in the Nigerian market.

Iluyomade disclosed that one of the operations led to the interception of two tankers designated for transporting edible vegetable oil but which were instead carrying Automotive Gas Oil. He described the discovery as a serious breach of food safety regulations with potentially grave public health consequences.

According to him, the manager of the company involved claimed ignorance of the colour-coding requirements for edible oil tankers and admitted that the vehicles had previously been used solely for transporting diesel.

The agency has taken the two tankers and their drivers into custody while investigations continue to determine the full extent of the violations and appropriate regulatory sanctions.

— VANGUARD