The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has announced its intention to reevaluate sanctions imposed on exporters.

This decision was disclosed by NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, during a news conference held on Tuesday in Abuja.

Adeyeye expressed concern over the increasing number of subpar goods being rejected by foreign nations.

Adeyeye stated, “Almost all exported food products are processed without statutory testing by NAFDAC. Therefore, it is not surprising that all the items exported without NAFDAC quality control and safety tests are rejected.”

She identified several factors contributing to the problem, including a failure to adhere to advisory guidelines established by NAFDAC to promote quality exports.

She noted that most food products exported did not undergo the necessary testing required by NAFDAC, leading to their rejection in foreign markets.

Adeyeye stated, “The exclusion of NAFDAC’s requirements in the mandatory pre-shipment inspection process administered by Pre-shipment Inspection Agents appointed by the Federal Government is another issue.”

She also highlighted that some exporters neglected the minimum sanitary and phytosanitary measures essential for accessing markets with strict requirements, as well as inadequate packaging by certain manufacturers.

Adeyeye explained, “Poor packaging, disregard for importation requirements of trading partners countries penchant for sourcing from open markets for exports without any form of minimal safety or quality specifications; unwillingness to invest in pre-export activities that help to ensure sustainable export; and disinformation on the roles of NAFDAC in the pre-shipment inspection and verification exercise of container stuffing.”