NAFDAC shuts warehouse for illegal bulk MSG sales, seizes counterfeit products
NAFDAC closes Suleja warehouse, confiscates illegal MSG and counterfeit goods valued at over N47 million.
NIGERIA – Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed a warehouse in Suleja, Niger State, after uncovering large quantities of monosodium glutamate (MSG) sold illegally in bulk.
The facility, owned by a trader identified as Alhaji Ahmed, was shut down during an enforcement operation led by officials from the agency’s Federal Capital Territory Directorate.
Kenneth Azikiwe, the director overseeing the FCT Directorate, said the operation was conducted under the directive of NAFDAC’s director-general, Mojisola Adeyeye. He noted that the sale of MSG in bulk form has been banned due to its associated health hazards.
According to him, only regulated quantities of the additive may be used for controlled food processing, making the discovered stockpile a clear violation of national food safety regulations.
During the raid, NAFDAC officers also seized a variety of unregistered, adulterated, and counterfeit food and household products at the Ibrahim Babangida International Market in Suleja.
The confiscated items included prohibited foreign pasta brands such as Doga and Roca, along with imitation toothpaste products like Bamboo Charcoal, Crogate, and Cloguide, which closely resembled reputable brands.
Azikiwe explained that the bulk MSG; commonly referred to as “White Maggi” and widely used in Ajinomoto, was often repackaged by informal traders into smaller plastic pouches.
He said these traders sometimes mixed the additive with salt and sold it without regulatory approval. In some cases, MSG was reportedly used to conceal the spoilage of deteriorating food items, posing additional health risks to consumers.
He warned that prolonged intake of such repackaged additives could lead to severe organ damage and contribute to the rise of chronic health conditions. Azikiwe urged consumers to avoid unregulated products and to always verify NAFDAC registration numbers before purchase.
Embugushiki-Musa Godiya, an intelligence and enforcement officer with the agency, estimated the total market value of the confiscated items at N47.5 million.
The agency stated that some products were placed on hold pending further investigation, reaffirming its commitment to protecting public health through continued enforcement actions.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
