By Ghazali Ibrahim
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, has busted an illegal factory allegedly producing adulterated fruit juice in Badagry, Lagos State.
Two women, aged 48 and 50, were arrested during the operation after NSCDC operatives conducted about five days of surveillance on the facility.
According to the Corps, the operation was carried out between Saturday night, September 19, and the early hours of Sunday, September 20, in collaboration with a Nigerian Army formation in the area.
Some youths reportedly attempted to resist the operation before security personnel gained access to the facility.
The product, branded as “Barkas Juice,” was allegedly produced using water, synthetic flavourings, industrial sweeteners, artificial colourants, dyes and chemical preservatives, without the use of real fruit.
The NSCDC said preliminary investigations also showed that the juice was produced in an unhygienic environment and distributed to markets in Lagos, Benin City and other parts of the country.
The Corps further alleged that the product carried a purported NAFDAC registration number, “01-2166L,” which it suspects was fake.
Items recovered from the factory included cartons of the suspected adulterated juice, a truck, production machinery, chemicals, drums and a gas cylinder.
The alleged owner of the factory, whose name was withheld, reportedly told investigators that her grandmother started the business with water production before it was expanded into fruit juice production. She said she inherited the business about 20 years ago.
Lagos State NSCDC Commandant, Adedotun Keshinro, ordered the immediate closure of the facility and said the suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The command also said it would collaborate with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other relevant agencies as investigations continue.
