The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has warned Nigerians against a brand of imported rice reportedly found to contain metallic contaminants, saying surveillance has been intensified to prevent the product from entering the country’s markets.
The agency issued the alert after receiving official notification from the Ministry of Trade and Industry in the Republic of Niger that the importation of Bulmex Parboiled Rice, a brand imported from India, had been banned following investigations that reportedly uncovered iron debris in the product.
NAFDAC, in a public alert released on Wednesday, said the findings by the Agadez Regional Directorate of Commerce and Industry in Niger showed that the rice was unsafe for human consumption.
According to the agency, the contaminated rice has been prohibited from importation and distribution in Niger as a precautionary measure.
“The investigation report confirmed that iron debris was found in the product, making it unsafe for consumption. As a precaution, the importation and distribution of the affected product have been prohibited,” NAFDAC stated.
The agency identified Bulmex as a brand marketed as Indian parboiled rice and Pakistani long-grain rice, with major suppliers listed as Karam Food Grains Private Limited, Paragon Commodities Limited, and Imoro Brunya/Sulemana Imoro Distribution Company.
NAFDAC noted that the product is reportedly distributed in several African countries, including Nigeria and the Republic of Niger.
However, the regulator stressed that it had yet to establish whether the affected rice was currently available in Nigerian markets.
“It is important to note that the availability of Bulmex parboiled rice in the Nigerian market, as claimed, has not yet been confirmed. NAFDAC is issuing this alert to strengthen surveillance and prevent the possible circulation of the product through cross-border trade,” the agency said.
To forestall any possible circulation of the rice in Nigeria, NAFDAC said it had directed all its zonal directors and state coordinators to intensify market surveillance and immediately seize the product wherever it is found.
The agency added that it would continue monitoring the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.
NAFDAC also urged importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers and consumers to exercise caution by carefully checking the authenticity and physical condition of rice products before purchase or sale.
It advised members of the public to promptly report any suspected sale of substandard, falsified or counterfeit regulated products to the nearest NAFDAC office.
The agency further encouraged healthcare professionals and consumers to report any adverse health incidents linked to regulated products through its offices or electronic reporting platforms as part of efforts to strengthen food safety monitoring nationwide.
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