The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it has strengthened its regulatory processes and urges water producers to adhere to its regulations and best practices.
Mrs Roseline Ajayi, Director of the Southwest Zone NAFDAC, stated this on Wednesday at a one-day interactive meeting with the Association of Table Water Producers, Ibadan chapter.
According to her, regulation is dynamic, especially with advancements in technology and impacts of climate change; hence, the requirements for regulating and controlling packaged water production have also witnessed some adjustments to match the changing world order.
She stressed that water has been a vehicle of transmission of communicable and noncommunicable diseases, hence, the need for strict adherence to regulations and control cannot be overemphasized.
On behalf of the Director General of the Agency, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, I stand to announce that our regulatory processes are being strengthened by provision of monitoring tools to conduct routine surveillance activities.
“I, therefore, appeal to all water producers in attendance and those not at this forum to embrace this opportunity for interaction to take advantage of the information to be disseminated to improve on their processes.
“NAFDAC believes in continuous engagement with stakeholders, especially the water producers.
“Together we can sanitize the sector to ensure that quality products are offered to the public, as well as get rid of unregistered and unwholesome products from circulation,” Ajayi said.
Also, Alhaji Ismaeel Oladejo, the Chairman of ATWAP’s Ibadan chapter, said the interactive meeting was to foster cordiality and collaboration between the association and NAFDAC to address some issues affecting its members.
“This event was for NAFDAC to interact with our members and tell us the processing procedure and also to form a strong and united association that can stand the test of time.
“It is when we are recognised as an association that all other things that we want to do will fall in line,” Oladejo said.
He said the association would inaugurate a quality control committee to ensure that members adhered to NAFDAC regulations by visiting factories.
“The committee would be fair in discharging its duties without victimising members,” Oladejo said.