NAFDAC Seals Chinese Supermarket in Abuja Over Expired, Improperly Labeled Goods
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed off a Chinese supermarket located in Azba Mall, Wuse 2, Abuja, following the discovery of expired products and goods labeled entirely in Chinese without English translations.
Officials from NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate carried out the operation after receiving credible intelligence about the store. During inspection, the agency said it found that more than 90 percent of the products on the shelves carried only Chinese inscriptions, in violation of Nigeria’s food and drug labeling regulations.
Some of the items were also discovered to have expired but were still being sold to unsuspecting customers.
Shaba Mohammed, Director of Investigation and Enforcement, explained that Nigerian law requires all products to have labeling in English, regardless of whether they carry inscriptions in other foreign languages.
He stressed that failing to meet this standard poses a serious risk to consumer safety, as buyers may be unable to understand expiry dates, ingredients, or usage instructions.
The supermarket was immediately sealed, while NAFDAC said further investigations would extend to the warehouse linked to the business to determine how the goods entered the country and whether they were properly registered with the agency.
Mohammed added that sanctions would follow if evidence of regulatory breaches was established.
The enforcement action has drawn public interest, with many Nigerians expressing concern over the proliferation of foreign-run stores allegedly selling unregistered or substandard goods. NAFDAC has reassured the public of its commitment to safeguarding health and safety by ensuring that all imported and locally produced items on the market comply with national standards.
While some reports circulating online claimed that two Chinese supermarkets and shops were affected, official confirmation so far indicates that only the supermarket in Azba Mall was sealed.
Further clarification is expected as NAFDAC continues its investigations.
