Nigerian Public Alert 80: The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has been informed that the Niger Republic’s Ministry of Trade and Industry has banned the importation of Bulmex Parboiled Rice from India.
The action was reportedly taken due to concerns raised during an investigation and regulatory oversight by the Agadez Regional Directorate of Commerce and Industry in the Niger Republic.
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.
According to the notification received, Bulmex rice is primarily known as a brand of Indian parboiled rice and Pakistani long-grain rice.
The key suppliers of the product include:
- Karam Food Grains Private Limited
- Paragon Commodities Limited
- Imoro Brunya / Sulemana Imoro Distribution Company
The product is claimed to be imported and marketed in Africa, particularly in Nigeria and the Republic of Niger.
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.
All NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been instructed to conduct surveillance and mop up the implicated rice if found within their zones and states. The Agency will continue to monitor developments and provide further updates where necessary.
Distributors, retailers, and consumers are hereby advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the distribution, sale, and consumption of implicated products. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.
Consumers are advised to report any suspicion of the sale of substandard, falsified, or counterfeit regulated products to the nearest NAFDAC office, call NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322, or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng
Similarly, healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of regulated products to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng, or via the Med- safety application available for download on Android and IOS stores, or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng
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