NAFDAC Shuts 16 Sachet Water Factories in Rivers Over Unwholesome Practices

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed 16 sachet water factories across Rivers State for alleged unwholesome practices and regulatory violations.

The affected factories are located in Akuku-Toru, Asari-Toru, Degema and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of the state.

The South-South Zonal Director of NAFDAC, Pharmacist Chukwuma Oligbu, disclosed this while briefing journalists after a clampdown on sachet water producers in the four LGAs.

He said the owners of the sealed facilities had been invited to the agency’s zonal office in Port Harcourt for further investigation.

“The operation which was carried out in the four LGAs led to the closure of sixteen sachet water factories while their owners were invited to NAFDAC office,” Oligbu said.

He listed some of the affected brands to include Obra Bo Table Water (Abalama, Asari-Toru LGA), Loilia Table Water (Okpo, Degema LGA), Jima Table Water and Inye Table Water (Obuama, Harry’s Town, Degema LGA).

Others, he said, include Obuta Table Water, Soaltam Table Water and Picasso Table Water, all in Obuama, Degema LGA; as well as Imumsco Table Water and Grampa Table Water in Degema and Akuku-Toru LGAs respectively.

In Ikwerre LGA, the affected factories include Aqua-Tobson Table Water, Duco Table Water, Chisodek Table Water and Neo Brain Table Water.

Oligbu said the violations observed included poor hygienic conditions, dirty filters, use of inappropriate materials as filters, expired operating licences, labelling lapses and incorrect factory addresses.

He warned producers of packaged water to ensure strict compliance with regulatory standards, adding that unregistered or expired operations would not be tolerated.

“The violation of the sachet water factories include operating under poor hygienic conditions, dirty filters, use of handkerchief as filters, expired licences, labelling lapses and wrong factory address,” he said.

He also cautioned against siting water production facilities in filling stations, describing it as a violation of NAFDAC regulations, and warned that such facilities would be permanently shut down.

Oligbu further stated that obstructing NAFDAC officials from carrying out their lawful duties is a punishable offence, adding that offenders risk arrest and prosecution.