Business
THE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cautioned Nigerians to check date markings on packaged foods, drugs and cosmetics to avoid consuming expired products.
The agency’s Coordinator in Jigawa, Mr AbdusSalam Lawan gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Thursday.
“It is important for people to always check date markings on packaged foods, drugs and cosmetics before using them to avoid consuming expired products.
“What we mean by date marking is the batch number, production date and expiry date.
“Packaged food carries Best Before while drugs and cosmetics carry Expiry Date.
“So, people should endeavor to check these date markings on any product they buy,” Lawan emphasised.
He also advised people to ensure that each product they want to buy has NAFDAC registration number.
“First and foremost, for any product one is buying, the first thing to ensure is whether such product, be it packaged food, drug or cosmetic carries a NAFDAC registration number.
“After that, then check its date markings; when all these are found to be in order, then go ahead and buy; consume as they are safe for consumption,” he said.
The coordinator also advised members of the public to stop patronising local drug vendors as drugs bought from such vendors were often expired and dangerous to health.
According to him, such drugs are not kept under the prescribed temperature, thereby rendering them harmful for human consumption.
Lawan pointed out that such drugs, even if they were not expired; their potency is reduced due to excessive heat they were being exposed to.
“So, people should always buy drugs from registered pharmacies or patent medicine vendors.
“Under no circumstances should people buy drugs from street hawkers because they are either expired or fake,” Lawan said.
He also advised people to always visit hospitals whenever they are ill instead of engaging in self medication.
According to him, NAFDAC will not relent in its effort to combat the circulation of unwholesome and fake products in the state. (NAN)
– Jul. 5, 2018 @ 19:15 GMT |
Tags: Always check date markings on packaged foods cosmetics-NAFDAC cautions drugs
