NAFDAC trains on regulatory activities

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it has, through consumer safety clubs, trained and empowered youths to promote quality products and reject fake ones.

Mr Richard Anichukwu, NAFDAC Coordinator for Ebonyi, said this in Abakaliki on Thursday while presenting prizes to winners of the 2015 Annual Secondary School Competition for NAFDAC Consumer Safety Club members for Ebonyi.

He said that the club, established in 2003, was aimed at enlightening students on NAFDAC activities so as to use them as change agents and vanguards for consumer protection of all goods and services.

“The students as members of the club are made to understand NAFDAC regulatory activities in order to ensure that the health of the nation is protected,” he said.

Anichukwu noted that the competition was held in the state, zonal and national levels in junior and senior categories.

He advised the students to report all cases of potassium bromate which could cause cancer, kidney failure and deafness.

He also advised them to buy only iodine-fortified table salt.

“You should also buy only vitamin A-fortified flour, sugar and margarine.

“NAFDAC also expects you to report any suspicious activities on factories and warehouses where fake, counterfeit drugs, unwholesome food and other regulated products are manufactured or stored.

“You are to avoid pressure groups that may lure you into using drugs and substances of abuse such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin or performance enhancing drugs,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that prizes were awarded to students who won in the junior and senior categories.

NAFDAC also issued identification cards to the club members for effective performance.

Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Master Collins Nwokpo, commended NAFDAC for the initiative which, he said, had helped the club members to be responsible.

He said that the task had enables them to contribute to national development.