NAFDAC Shuts Down Two Sachet Water Factories in Owerri for Unhygienic Conditions

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down two sachet water factories in Owerri for operating in unhygienic environments.

During a routine inspection carried out on Friday, NAFDAC also cautioned another factory in the Imo capital city.

The affected factories are Elmabo Table Water and Sylchap Enterprise Table Water, while Giver Table Water received a warning over minor issues.

Speaking to journalists at the end of the enforcement, the Imo NAFDAC Coordinator, Mrs. Mercy Ndukwe, explained that the factories were sealed for poor manufacturing practices.

“We have invited them all to visit the NAFDAC office with their licences for verification,” Ndukwe said. “Looking at the factories we visited, the agency is not happy seeing the environment they were operating in.”

NAFDAC’s minimum requirement is four to five rooms for small-scale operators to run a water production facility.

“At the time we registered them, these rooms were available, but today, most of the rooms have been converted to other uses, like living rooms and other businesses,” she added.

Ndukwe expressed concern that diseases such as cholera could break out from such unhygienic environments if not given proper attention.

She recalled that the agency, about three weeks ago, directed the water association in the state to close all operations for two days for proper cleaning and sanitization of factories to avert a cholera outbreak.

“In spite of the directive, we are very sad to see the environment where they operate to be unhygienic,” she said.

Ndukwe cautioned other producers to “sit up and conduct self-sanitization of their premises.”

She emphasized that NAFDAC’s aim is not to close down factories or push them out of business but to ensure that Nigerians consume wholesome and hygienic food and water.

The NAFDAC chief also expressed the agency’s willingness to organize free training for the operators of table water factories in the state on best practices.

The enforcement was carried out in collaboration with the Imo House of Assembly Committee on Health and Environment and the state chapter of the Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP).