NAFDAC arrests counterfeiter of original Alomo Bitters

THE ongoing campaign aimed at protecting consumers of Kasapreko’s Alomo Bitters from counterfeiting has received a boost with the arrest by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) of a producer of unwholesome imitation of the original bitters.

  The suspect, Mr. Akintunde Smith, was arrested at his residence on Akanni Street, Teddy Village, Lagos where he was producing the counterfeit version of the popular alcoholic herbal beverage. His arrest has delighted Kasapreko Company with the management affirming that the safety of consumers was non-negotiable.

  “Counterfeiting is quite a big issue because the lives of our consumers are being endangered and it is very disturbing for us as a company. For us, we have invested a lot in an authentic product that is good for general body health but now we have other people faking this product, this is worrisome to us. The company is investing in ways to fight it; one of these is what you are seeing,” Managing Director, Kasapreko Company Nigeria Limited, Mr. Kojo Nunoo, said.

 The Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr.Paul Orhii, paraded the suspect alongside two others on January 26, 2015 during a media briefing at the agency’s office in Oshodi, Lagos. He said 314 (14 X 750 millimeters) cartons of fake Alomo Bitters, several empty bottles and packaging materials were recovered from Smith during a raid carried out by the operatives of the agency. 

  ‘‘Mr. Akintunde Smith was arrested in his residence where he was producing counterfeit and unwholesome Kasapreko Alomo Bitters amongst other popular alcoholic beverages. The registered Kasapreko Alomo Bitters is manufactured in Ghana by Kasapreko Company Limited,’’ Dr.Orhii, said.

   He added: “Mr. Akintunde Smith has been operating without due regard to the principles of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and standards of hygiene in the production of the violative products. His actions are inimical to public health.”

  He said further that increased surveillance, intelligence and information gathering as well as efficient policing of the land and sea borders by NAFDAC operatives have also resulted in the interception and seizures of large containers of substandard products in recent times.

  The NAFDAC boss also revealed that the syndicates behind the counterfeiting of registered products have taken to local manufacture of unwholesome products due to the intense searchlight being beamed on the land and sea borders.

  Dr.Orhii added that some suspects who were involved in the forgery of the agency’s documents and operation of illegal manufacture of products that posed serious threat to public health, had been arrested. He said they would be prosecuted and charged to the court of law including the three suspects that were paraded.   

 Mr. Nunoo commended NAFDAC for the seizure of the fake products and the arrest of the suspect, noting that his company supported the agency in its bid to curtail the evil activities of counterfeiters.

  “We collaborate with regulatory agencies just to help us fight the circulation of fake products in the market. It’s a big issue but we also use this opportunity to assure our consumers that the fight is on and we assure them that they will always have the original Alomo Bitters in the market,’’ he said.

    He further assured consumers that as part of measures to safeguard them from buying fake Alomo Bitters, the company would soon introduce holograms with embedded security features and other signs that authenticate the company’s genuine bitters. He enjoined consumers to always examine the product before buying.