An estimated $250,000.00 worth of contaminated bread improver (Edlen Dough Conditioner) imported from the USA has been confiscated at the Onne Port in Rivers State by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC.
NAFDAC head of Ports Inspection Directorate in Port Harcourt, Dr. Musa Umar, said the product loaded in 10 containers was first suspected by NAFDAC officials at the port in January while thorough examination on April 16 and re-examined in the presence of the importer, clearing agent and manufacturer were done on May 2.
He said findings in the series of investigations confirmed that the product imported by Dorcas-Jedi Investment Nigeria Ltd had already deteriorated and unfit for human consumption by the degree to which the product’s integrity had been compromised.
“Some cartons were soaked and there were evidence of bloated cans and products spilling on to the boxes. Full examination was attempted for all the 10 containers but no product with acceptable physical attributes was seen,” Umar said.
He said the economic loss for the end users (bread bakers) would have been enormous if the product was allowed to enter the market as its utility value had been lost.
A representative of the product’s importer, Dr. Ottih Ezuma attributed its spoilage to long delay from the shipping company that shipped it from Savannah Sea Port in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Customs Area II Command Controller, Magaji Mohammed, who handed the products over to NAFDAC said his command had likewise handed over to NAFDAC 426 bottles of naturelite children’s multivitamin discovered to have expired.
The spoilt products still in custody at government warehouse, Onne Port are to be destroyed by NAFDAC Enforcement Unit after necessary official documentation.