The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), in collaboration with the producers of Big Bull brand of rice, has raided several shops in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, uncovering large-scale sales of counterfeit rice.
NAFDAC disclosed this on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday, stating that the operation, which took place in Woji, Mile 3, and Mile 1 markets in Port Harcourt, led to the seizure of over 120 fake bags of Big Bull Rice.
The agency said a shop in the YKC axis of Woji was identified as a major distribution point for the counterfeit products.
“Inside the shop, officials discovered large quantities of empty counterfeit Big Bull Rice bags along with other rice brands such as Cap Rice, Stallion Rice, Tomato Rice, and Mama Pride. A salesgirl, identified as Ogechi Okafor, was apprehended at the scene.
“Other items recovered from the shop included sewing and sealing machines, a generator, a stove, thread, and several bags of already rebagged rice,” it explained.
NAFDAC’s State Coordinator, Pharm. Emmanuel Onogwu, outlined key differences between the original Big Bull Rice and the counterfeit versions. He noted that genuine Big Bull Rice bags feature a distinct shiny ribbon across the threaded top, superior bag quality, and an authentic logo.
He warned that rebagged rice often comes from questionable sources and may be treated with harmful chemicals to improve its appearance.
NAFDAC said the confiscated fake rice bags, retrieved from over 10 shops, have been transported to its Zonal Office for further investigation.
The agency has vowed to intensify its crackdown on counterfeit food products to protect consumers from health risks.
