Lagos — National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), recently embarked on a raid of 10 major markets in Niger State, to mop up adulterated and substandard products.

The markets raided are Minna Central Market, Minna Gwari Market, Beji Market, Kontagora Modern Market; Lapai Main Market, IBB Market Suleja, Beri Market, Garatu Market Katiregi Market; and Bida Modern Market.

NAFDAC Unit Head, Mrs Talatu Mohammed, in an interview with our correspondent in Minna, Niger State capital, said part of the mission of NAFDAC officials to the market was to sensitise the people on the need to stop sale of 25kilogramms bags of iodised salt.

She said the iodised salt had been banned, because they do not retain the iodine content up till consumption point, adding that the officials embarked on the mission to express awareness among others, on the need for the rejection of the retailing or dispensing of the 50 kilogrammes bags of iodised salt, which are not meant for domestic use. Mohammed said the NAFDAC officials decided to conduct the campaign in English, Hausa, Igbo, Nupe and Yoruba languages, so that the import of the message would get down to the local market traders.

During the campaign, 25 kilogrammes bags of iodised salt, 50kilogramme bags of salt in nylon wraps, salt in basins, salt displayed on tables and in wheel barrows worth N75, 650 were confiscated.