NIGERIA – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a statement clarifying that its scientific analysis has found no evidence of plastic material in Semovita, specifically referring to Golden Penny Semovita.
The analysis was conducted in response to claims made in a viral social media video where a woman alleged finding plastic residue after sieving the Semovita.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, explained that upon receiving alerts regarding the issue, she instructed emergency post-marketing analysis to be conducted on various brands of Semovita.
Rigorous analytical testing was carried out in NAFDAC’s internationally-accredited laboratories.
The analysis conclusively determined that Golden Penny Semovita, a popular brand of Semolina made from wheat, does not contain plastic or any harmful contaminants.
It was found to contain the expected components and the required Vitamin A. Prof Adeyeye emphasized that the plastic-like appearance observed in the viral video was due to the presence of gluten, a protein that imparts viscoelastic properties to the product.
Golden Penny Semovita is manufactured by Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, a registered company that has obtained marketing authorization from NAFDAC.
The company’s operations adhere to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS).
NAFDAC assures the public that all registered Semolina products, including Golden Penny Semovita, are safe for consumption, having undergone rigorous regulatory scrutiny and compliance.
While addressing concerns through social media, NAFDAC urged the public to exercise discretion and avoid spreading panic or misinformation.
Members of the public who have similar suspicions or observations are encouraged to contact their nearest NAFDAC office for appropriate guidance and assistance.
Misinformation and rumors regarding food products can be detrimental to public health and the reputation of manufacturers, necessitating swift and evidence-based investigations.
NAFDAC’s findings reinforce the importance of relying on scientific analysis and approved regulatory processes to assess the safety and quality of food products.
NAFDAC alerts public of contaminated batch of Sprite Drink in Nigeria
Meanwhile, NAFDAC has also issued a warning to the public regarding a batch of “unwholesome” Sprite 50cl drinks circulating in Nigeria.
In an official statement, NAFDAC disclosed that the contaminated drinks carry the batch number AZ6 22:32, with a manufacturing date of April 18, 2023, and an expiry date of April 4, 2024.
NAFDAC initiated the investigation after receiving a consumer complaint, which revealed that the affected batch contained particles.
Upon verification, it was found that over five crates of the Sprite 50cl drinks from the implicated batch were contaminated.
To safeguard public health, NAFDAC promptly sampled the contaminated batch for laboratory analysis in its accredited laboratory.
The agency has directed its Zonal Directors and State Coordinators to conduct surveillance and recall the specific batch of the unwholesome product from the market.
In addition to the immediate actions taken, NAFDAC will conduct a comprehensive current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) inspection of the manufacturing site. This inspection aims to identify the root cause of the contamination and ensure compliance with marketing authorization.
The Nigerian Bottling Company Limited, specifically the Abuja plant responsible for producing the implicated batch, has been directed by NAFDAC to recall the contaminated product and report to the agency for effective monitoring.
Distributors, retailers, and consumers are strongly urged to exercise caution and vigilance, refraining from the consumption, sale, or distribution of the unwholesome Sprite batch.
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