NAFDAC Shuts Down Chinese Supermarket In Abuja Over Regulatory Violations

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed a Chinese supermarket in Wuse, Abuja, for breaching regulatory standards.

The closure, carried out on Monday, followed reports that the supermarket was selling goods labeled entirely in Chinese, making it impossible for non-Chinese-speaking Nigerians to understand product information. Additionally, expired products were discovered on its shelves.

NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Shaba Mohammed, stated that the agency acted on credible intelligence from informants.

“It was brought to our attention that a significant proportion of the items sold at this supermarket were labeled in Chinese, in clear violation of NAFDAC regulations,” Mohammed explained.

He emphasized that products labeled in foreign languages, such as Chinese, French, or Arabic, must include English translations to comply with Nigerian standards.

“Over 90% of the goods in this supermarket are labeled in Chinese,” Mohammed revealed. “Nigerians shopping here should be able to read and understand product details. The supermarket has also failed to provide NAFDAC with approval documents for these foreign-labeled items.”

Mohammed assured that the agency would investigate the matter further, including inspecting the supermarket’s warehouse to prevent additional regulatory violations.

“An investigation will continue, and we will ensure that any improperly labeled or expired products are removed from circulation,” he stated.

NAFDAC reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public health by ensuring compliance with product labeling and safety standards across the country.