Published 29th Sep, 2023

By Abimbola Abatta

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has come under fire for failing to update Nagiko Tomato’s registration on its database in two years.

Erisco Foods Limited, the maker of Nagiko Tomato, recently made the news after Chioma Egodi Jnr, a popular Facebook user, was arrested for posting a negative review of the Nagiko Tomato Mix.

What landed her in trouble was a September 17 post on her Facebook page, which highlighted the high sugar content in the tomato paste and invited her followers to share their experiences.

In response to her post, Erisco Foods petitioned the police and she was arrested.

However, an FIJ publication revealed that this particular product was not available on the online database regulated by NAFDAC.

This organisation found evidence of more than 50 Ersico products on the website, but the Nagiko Tomato Paste Mix that was reviewed by Egodi Jnr. was not among.

When NAFDAC commented on the absence of this Erisco product from its database on Friday, the agency said it was due to a significant backlog.

FIJ saw the registration certificate NAFDAC provided to Erisco Foods for Nagiko Tomato Mix. The certificate was given on February 25, 2021, and it is valid until February 24, 2026.

Many Nigerians have criticised the national agency for what seems to be a lack of effort in keeping its online database up to date.

“Since 2021, you’ve still been updating the backlog of registered products on your database. What kind of Agency is this? If you can’t update backlog then how can you monitor fake products,” @militaryblower, an X user, wrote under NAFDAC’s tweet on Friday.

Sharing similar sentiments, Marvelous A, another X user asked, “Why are you still updating your database of a record created over two years ago at this time?”

Ndikobong wrote, “Pick the ones in the market for a laboratory test. When last did you do that? You can’t rely on sample brought to you by the company since 2021.”

Another X user with handle wrote, “Don’t be surprised if this certificate is only backdated to quell the tension surrounding that product Nagiko Tomato by Erisco Foods. The excuses here are so shameful that some persons needed to be relieved of their duties in a serious country. Thank goodness that its soonest.”

For Chukwuemeke, Egodi Jnr. was not wrong in her post by suggesting there was sugar in the tomato mix.

Just like Chukwuemeke’s stance, Adekunle said NAFDAC’s post meant that the lady was actually true and objective.

Nnaemeka Edeh said, “That it was registered doesn’t mean it’s a good product. NAFDAC ought to check what Chioma complained about. It’s not about registration. The way and manner Erisco boss came swinging and charging at a customer made it suspicious. If truly the product is good, why charging in that manner?”

@royalbullions’ comment suggests that the certificate shared by NAFDAC could have been backdated. “This may be a backdated certification. NAFDAC doing PR for a sugary tomato. Why arresting the customer since NAFDAC has now confirmed that there is sugar in tomato paste?”

According to Amarachi, “it is a disservice that a product registered since 2021 has [no]t been uploaded as of 2023, making people believe it is not”.

She noted that NAFDAC’s backlog excuse was not only flimsy but a shameful thing to be announced in public.

Two other X users, @Griffinstreaks and Ugo Chiori, insisted that they would not use the tomato mix. “We still won’t buy it,” the latter noted.

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