Backward integration: NAFDAC goes tough on food importers

It is no longer business as usual for importers of food products into the country, as National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) threatened to sanction importers that have spent more than five years without establishing a local production plant.

Indeed, the industry watchdog said it would no longer accept re-registration of such operators’ licences.

This move, according to NAFDAC, is an effort to tackle issues surrounding the activities of food supply chain management, regulations on importation and exportation items.

Speaking at a three-day multi-sector Food Nigeria Conference and Exhibition organized by organised by Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions in Lagos, Acting Director-General, NAFDAC, Mrs Yetunde Oni, said, NAFDAC currently grants licenses to reputable foreign products manufactured outside Nigeria, after an application must have been certified by a Nigerian representative of the foreign manufacturer.
“The representative of a foreign manufacturer must however have a duly executed Power of Attorney from the manufacturer, appointing and authorising him/it to act in that capacity for such products”, she added.

Mrs Oni noted that while Nigeria has opened doors to safe food imports that are register-able locally, the agency is interested in foreign food products manufacturers that are ready to establish local plants, transfer technologyand create jobs for Nigerians.

She however, advised representatives of foreign companies with products registered with the agency to consider establishing their plants in Nigeria.