By Foster Obi

The National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control(NAFDAC) has been slammed by Nigerians for its unprofessional way of communicating serious issues that relate to health of Nigerians.

This followed alert on its Twitter handle issued by the agency on contaminated Sprite drink titled “Public Alert No. 022/2023 – Alert on Unwholesome Sprite 50cl Glass Bottle Batch number AZ6 22:32.”

The alert has a link and people were expected to click on the link to get the full message.

Reacting to the Tweet, ‘My Love’ told the Agency, “You people should learn how to communicate effectively. You’re issuing a warning for a bad product but through a link? How many people do you think will actually click the link? Provide a summary of the issue in the tweet so everyone can see at a glance.

Supporting My Love, Prince Samuel Adeyemi tweeted, “God bless you, the message they were trying to pass does not go down well at all, how could anyone know what they are really saying. “

Sola Omoniyi reacted, “I didn’t even bother to click the link as I don’t have time to read for long. A simple flyer with some notes would have been great then anyone who wish to read further will click the link.

Eidorlerif said, “I already know to run from all Sprite. I won’t click on the link even if they paid me.”

Iyena Adeniyi simply responded, “very terrible.”

Some of them agreeing with first respondent, said the approach employed is unbecoming of a public institution like NAFDAC.

The full press statement however ran thus, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is notifying the public of a batch of unwholesome Sprite 50cl glass bottles circulating in Nigeria. This product was discovered following a consumer complaint received and investigated by the post-marketing surveillance unit of the Agency.

On investigation, at the point of purchase and supplier’s address, over five (5) crates of the implicated batch of Sprite 50cl glass bottles were discovered to be contaminated with particles.

The affected batch of the unwholesome product has been sampled for laboratory analysis in the NAFDAC laboratory and the Agency has directed all zonal directors and state coordinators to carry out surveillance and mop up the implicated batch of the unwholesome product.

Similarly, a comprehensive current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) Inspection of the manufacturing site is to be carried out by the Agency, this is to find the route cause of the contamination and ensure compliance to marketing authorization.

Furthermore, the company, (Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (Abuja plant) has been directed to recall the implicated batch of the unwholesome product and report to NAFDAC for effective monitoring.

The details of the products are as follows. Product name: Sprite 50cl glass bottles

Product manufacturer: Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (Abuja plant)

BN: AZ6 22:32

MFD: 180423

BB: 180424

NAFDAC implores distributors, retailers, and consumers to exercise caution and vigilance to avoid the consumption, sale, or distribution of the unwholesome product. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.

Anyone in possession of the above-mentioned batch of Sprite 50cl glass bottles is advised to submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office. If you, or someone you know, have consumed this product or suffered any adverse reaction/event after consumption, you are advised to seek immediate medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional.

Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicion of distribution and sale of unwholesome packaged food products to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng

Similarly, consumers are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the consumption of unwholesome packaged food products to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med-safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng

Signed Management