The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has seized 120 fake bags of rice from different shops in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The agency carried out the operation with Big Bull, a well-known rice production company.
NAFDAC’s Rivers State Coordinator, Pharm. Emmanuel Onogwu, warned traders and buyers to be careful when purchasing rice. He said some dishonest people are selling fake or repackaged rice.
During the raid, officials visited markets in Woji, Mile 3, and Mile 1, where they found fake Big Bull rice being sold. A shop in the YKC area of Woji was discovered to be a major supply point. Inside, they found empty fake rice bags of different brands like Big Bull, Cap Rice, Stallion Rice, Tomato Rice, and Mama Pride.
A salesgirl named Ogechi Okafor was arrested at the shop. Other seized items included sewing and sealing machines, a generator, a stove, thread, and already repackaged rice bags.
Onogwu advised customers to check for special features that set the original Big Bull rice apart from fake ones. These features include:
- A shiny ribbon across the top seam
- A high-quality bag
- The original Big Bull logo
He also warned that fake rice often comes from unknown sources and is sometimes polished with chemicals to make it look fresh.
NAFDAC is urging people to be careful when buying rice and to report any suspicious sellers. Consumers should always check for quality and buy from trusted sources to avoid health risks.
