NAFDAC begins investigation into unlawful importation of tomato paste into Nigeria, sentisises media on dangers of bleaching creams usage
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has commenced investigation into the unlawful importation of tomato paste which is under federal government ban into the country.
Speaking in Lagos on Wednesday during a media sensitisation workshop on the dangers of bleaching creams and regulatory controls, organised for Association of Nigerian Health Journalists, the Ag. Director General of NAFDAC, Dr Monica Eimunjeze said investigation is currently ongoing on the unlawful importation by some importers into the country.
She said some of imported tomato paste do not have NAFDAC registration numbers, while others are using registration numbers from other products.
Eimunjeze said the Agency will surely get to the root of the matter and bring the pepetrators to book.
The acting DG stressed the need to stem the dangerous tide of of bleaching creams which accounts for 77 percent usage in the country.
She said there is the need to raise the awareness on the dangers of bleeching creams which NAFDAC has regulatory control over the products.
Eimunjeze noted that though the issue of bleaching cream is a global problem which is not perculiar to Nigeria alone, but maimtained that the Agency will not rest on its oars in creating awareness on the dangers of the usage of such products.
She noted that consumers of bleaching creams in Nigeria do not know the content of the products they are using and the dangers of such products to their health.
Eimunjeze said some of the products have come up for registration while some others have not.
She solicited the active support and collarboration of the media in the fight against this problem which has many dangerous side effects on the body.
In the course of the sensation workshop, different position papers were presented on the inherent dangers of bleaching creams on the body and need to let the people desist from the use of such products which causes cancer, liver problems, permanent damage to the skin, death among others.
Some of the active ingredients contained in the bleaching creams include: Hydroquinone, Mercury, lead, methacrylate among others.
Speaking during the workshop, the President Association of Nigeria Health Journalists, Mr Hassan Zaggi pledged the support of the media in the fight against bleaching creams in Nigeria.
Mr Zaggi noted that partnership is very key in the fight against the use of bleaching creams.
While calling on the Ag. DG of NAFDAC to follow the processes through, Zaggi called for strict enforcement on the sales and use of bleaching creams.
Papers were presented on the overview of skin bleaching, the NAFDAC perspective, role of mass media in promoting public health in Nigeria, safe handling of chemicals and ingredients in the cosmetic industry, the cosmovigillance best practices, NAFDAC regulatory control of cosmetics in Nigeria, among others.
Med-View Airline to relaunch Yola, Maiduguri flights Dec. 18, increases Lagos-Abuja flights
NCAA warns pilots, airlines against thunder storms
Oil bunkering: Court sentences 8 Bennioise to 4 years imprisonment each
$1.3bn tax assessment: witness’ absence stalls trial in MTN suit against AGF