The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has clarified that traditionally packaged farm produce such as yam, fufu, moi moi and ogi does not fall directly under its regulatory control.
NAFDAC Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, made the clarification during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
Adeyeye explained that NAFDAC’s mandate primarily covers processed and semi-processed products, while agricultural produce straight from farms falls under the responsibility of relevant agricultural authorities.
She specifically addressed confusion surrounding foods and farm produce frequently associated with NAFDAC regulation.
According to Channels Television, Adeyeye said products such as raw yam, oranges and apples are not under NAFDAC’s direct control because they fall within the regulatory responsibilities of the Ministry of Agriculture.
She explained that once agricultural products are processed into products that fall within NAFDAC’s mandate, the agency becomes involved in their regulation.
The clarification comes amid growing public concern over food safety and allegations surrounding the use of chemicals in the production, preservation and processing of food.
It also follows public discussion generated by former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who recently recounted a laboratory test involving freshly squeezed orange juice prepared by his wife.
The NAFDAC clarification is therefore significant because it distinguishes between agricultural produce and processed food products while highlighting the need for cooperation among government agencies.
Adeyeye also stressed that food safety requires coordinated action rather than isolated regulation by individual agencies.
The agency’s explanation could help address misconceptions among consumers who assume that every food product sold or consumed in Nigeria falls directly under NAFDAC’s regulatory jurisdiction.
NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, Food Safety, Yam, Fufu, Moi Moi, Ogi, Agriculture, Consumer Protection, Nigeria