Culled from Guardian By Musa Adelakun
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has uncovered counterfeit versions of popular food and beverage brands, including Peak Milk, Hennessy, Coca-Cola, and Hollandia Yoghurt, in an operation at the Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia State.
This discovery was made during NAFDAC’s latest crackdown, tagged ‘Operation Clean Up Aba’, which also saw the agency confiscating fake products worth over ₦5 billion and sealing off over 240 makeshift factories within the market.
The Cemetery Market, long regarded as a hub for Africa’s largest counterfeit wine and beverage cartel, was found to house factories where fake alcoholic beverages like Seaman Schnapps, Gordons, and Smirnoff Ice were being manufactured. Soft drinks and food products, such as Coca-Cola, Sprite, Peak Milk, and sachet chocolate drinks, were also being produced under highly unsanitary conditions.
“These counterfeiters use harmful chemicals, contaminated water, and recycled bottles to produce these fake versions of popular brands,” NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said in a statement on Tuesday.
“These products are not only fake but pose a significant risk to public health due to the toxic ingredients and poor hygiene involved in their production.”
The operation also led to the discovery of three warehouses stockpiling expired Hollandia Yoghurt for revalidation.
NAFDAC revealed that the factories used cheaper alternatives to sugar and starch in place of fruit or grapes for alcoholic beverages, further exposing consumers to dangerous chemicals.
More than 1,500 cartons of fake products were destroyed during the raid, while the estimated street value of confiscated items from this and a similar operation in December 2024 was pegged at ₦5 billion.
NAFDAC applauded the Abia State Government, led by Governor Alex Otti, for its support, as well as the collaboration of the military, DSS, and Nigeria Police, which made the operation successful.
“The unwavering support of Governor Alex Otti and other stakeholders has been instrumental in tackling this menace,” Adeyeye added.
The agency reiterated its commitment to eradicating fake and substandard products and urged Nigerians to report any suspicious goods to the nearest NAFDAC office.
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