Why NAFDAC slammed N1bn fine on Guinness

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control,
NAFDAC, was said to have slammed a fine of N1 billion administrative charges on
Guinness Nigeria Plc for its failure to adhere to the recommended good
manufacturing practice procedures.

A source from the Enforcement Department of the agency, who pleaded anonymity,
told Vanguard that the agency had conducted a routine check on the company’s
factory in Ikeja, Lagos on November 5, 2015 where shocking revelations were
made.
According to the source, the NAFDAC team came back with unsatisfactory
appraisals about how some of the materials used in the production processes were
being handled.
Further findings revealed that the team that visited Guinness was worried about the
manner the raw materials used in the factory were stored.
“The unhygienic storage condition of the raw materials was a major source of worry
for the agency,” the source said.
They reportedly found that the raw materials used in their factories were exposed to
rodents, and some of the expired products were discovered to have been
revalidated.
The source said following the startling discoveries and a report made by the team
to the enforcement team, a letter to the effect was actually conveyed to the firm.
The source, who said NAFDAC was yet to make an official statement on the
development, told Vanguard that the N1 billion mandatory administrative charges
may just be the basic action to be undertaken by NAFDAC.
“Our team visited Guinness and the reported findings were true. The agency is,
however, going to make a public statement to this effect at the appropriate time, as
the management is still studying the reports submitted by the team,” the source
said.
Reacting, yesterday, Mr. Peter Ndegwa, Managing Director of Guinness said the said
raw materials store is not a production facility and that “we are engaging National
Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, for clarifications and
resolution of the issues.”

Vanguard