In a major crackdown on food safety violations, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a warehouse in Kaduna State stocked with expired non-alcoholic beverages valued at over N35 million — all allegedly destined for unsuspecting consumers across Northern Nigeria.
The operation, led by Andrew Tamanuwa, Deputy Director of the agency’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate in Kaduna, was launched after NAFDAC received an anonymous tip from a vigilant citizen. Based on the intelligence, NAFDAC operatives swiftly intercepted two commercial buses and a Golf wagon en route to Kwanar Dangora in Kiru Local Government Area of Kano State, all laden with expired beverages.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Tamanuwa disclosed that the confiscated consignment contained 700 packs of Schweppes and 300 packs of Fanta Orange, all visibly past their expiry dates. The agency’s prompt response prevented the hazardous products from reaching the open market in Kano.
Further investigations led operatives to a warehouse in Kaduna metropolis, where a larger cache of expired drinks was uncovered. According to Tamanuwa, the warehouse, located along Bayajidda Road, contained an additional 588 packs of Schweppes, 3,508 packs of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, and 87 packs of Fanta Orange, all of which had expired in November 2024.
“The products have since been evacuated and moved to our facility, where they are awaiting proper destruction in accordance with health and environmental regulations,” Tamanuwa stated.
The alleged owner of the expired products has been arrested and is currently in custody as investigations continue to unravel the full extent of the distribution network and identify possible collaborators in this illicit trade.
Tamanuwa emphasized the grave danger posed by the consumption of expired drinks, particularly as the nation approaches the festive season, a period typically marked by high demand for beverages.
“This is not just an economic crime — it’s a deliberate assault on public health,” he warned. “We urge all Nigerians to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or expired food or drink products to NAFDAC immediately. Our agency will not relent in our mission to protect the lives and well-being of Nigerian citizens.”
He reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to maintaining rigorous surveillance and enforcement actions across the country to root out harmful and substandard consumables from circulation.
This latest bust adds to a growing list of successful enforcement operations by NAFDAC in recent months, showcasing the agency’s intensified drive to sanitize Nigeria’s food and beverage industry and ensure that only safe, high-quality products reach consumers.
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