The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), in collaboration with Big Bull Rice producers, has uncovered large-scale sales of counterfeit Big Bull Rice in Port Harcourt.
Raids conducted in Woji, Mile 3, and Mile 1 markets led to the discovery of a major distribution point on the YKC axis of Woji. Officials found empty counterfeit Big Bull Rice bags alongside other brands like Cap Rice, Stallion Rice, Tomato Rice, and Mama Pride. A salesgirl, Ogechi Okafor, was apprehended.
Authorities also recovered sewing and sealing machines, a generator, a stove, thread, and several bags of rebagged rice.
NAFDAC’s Rivers State Coordinator, Pharm. Emmanuel Onogwu, outlined key differences between genuine and fake Big Bull Rice, cautioning that counterfeit rice may come from unsafe sources and be chemically treated.
Over 120 fake bags were seized from more than ten shops and transported to the NAFDAC Zonal Office for further investigation.
