The Bida Local Government in Niger State has shut down ice cream production facilities operating without the required licences and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration numbers.
Penpushing reports that this was confirmed in a statement on Thursday by Chief Press Secretary of the council, Aliyu Umar, adding that the facilities were found to have serious hygiene lapses, including flies in ice cream mixtures, during an inspection by its environmental departments.
The statement posted on Facebook said the products had no labels to identify their contents or trace their sources, stating that during the operation, the inspection team discovered serious hygiene concerns
“During the operation, the inspection team discovered serious hygiene concerns, including flies in the mixture used for ice cream production. The products were also found to be without labels, making it difficult to identify their contents and trace their source’, Umar wrote.
“The substances used in production were subsequently subjected to laboratory analysis, which reportedly revealed a lack of nutritional value and the presence of substances considered dangerous to human health’, he said.
Penpushing further report that Umar explained that production was halted after factory managers confirmed that they lacked the required licences and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration numbers.
The statement stated that the council also evacuated production equipment and related materials from the facilities, adding that operation followed complaints from residents about an ice cream production facility around the Federal Polytechnic Bida area.
“According to the complaints, numerous vendors reportedly gathered at the facility every morning to purchase the ice cream for distribution and sale across Bida, potentially exposing residents to health risks,” the statement added.
Penpushing also reports that Supervisory Councillor for Health and Social Welfare, Ahmed Danladi, speaking during the operation said the council was committed to ensuring that food and drinks sold to residents were produced under hygienic conditions and in compliance with relevant regulations.
The councilor said the council chairman, Manko, would take appropriate action against individuals and businesses involved in illegal food and drink production or violations of public health and environmental regulations.
Penpushing reports that Danladi also urged residents to report suspicious food production and distribution activities to the relevant authorities.
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