The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a warning to water producers, patent medicine vendors, and other manufacturers of regulated products regarding the sale of counterfeit and substandard items.

Mrs. Roseline Ajayi, the NAFDAC Southwest Coordinator, delivered this warning during a stakeholder engagement meeting held by the agency on Friday in Ibadan.

Ajayi indicated that findings from a recent operation conducted by the agency revealed that certain patent medicine vendors were distributing restricted drugs and unregistered products.

She also noted that some manufacturers had not adhered to the necessary packaging and storage standards.

“Recently, we have noticed that bread available in the markets is failing laboratory tests due to producers using saccharine in place of sugar, which has become costly.

“They are incorporating ingredients that pose health risks to consumers. While we acknowledge the current economic difficulties, the agency will not compromise its standards.

“It is crucial to emphasize that the quality and safety of regulated products must remain uncompromised,” she stated.

Ajayi explained that the purpose of the engagement meeting was to seek greater collaboration and support from relevant stakeholders to assist the agency in its mission to protect public health.

“Over the past year, numerous regulatory decisions have been made, some of which have been officially documented, aimed at enhancing and regulating practices within the industry.

“All stakeholders are urged to adopt the culture and standards for good practices pertinent to their sectors to ensure the quality, safety, and integrity of regulated products available to the public,” she concluded.