The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has taken swift action in shutting down eight shops and a warehouse in Karu Local Government Area of Nassarawa State for producing fake rice. The estimated value of the counterfeit rice seized is a staggering N5 billion.
For millions of households in the country, the festive season has come at a time when the inflationary pressure is intensifying.
And Nigerians are going to be spending more buying rice – a key staple in the country.
According to the report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Monday, Nigeria’s inflation rate rose to 34.6 percent in November 2024, up from 33.88 percent in October, driven by high food costs.
Food inflation surged to 39.93 percent in November 2024, a sharp increase from 32.84 percent in November 2023.
A 50kg of local parboiled rice has risen by 66 percent to an average of N100, 000 in December 2024 from N60,000 in December 2023, according to BusinessDay’s market survey.
In a country where the minimum wage rate is N70,000, which is below $50 per month, the ballooning food prices have left many Nigerians stranded this Christmas as high fuel and food prices pressure their budgets amid a worsening naira scarcity.
This decisive move by NAFDAC sends a strong message to those involved in the illegal production and distribution of fake food products. The agency is committed to protecting the health and safety of consumers by cracking down on illicit practices in the food industry.
NAFDAC continues to urge the public to be vigilant when purchasing food items and report any suspicious products to the agency. The agency is determined to root out the production and sale of fake goods to ensure the well-being of all Nigerians.
