Niger Council Shuts Down Illegal Ice Cream Factories Over Hygiene Concerns

The Bida Local Government Council in Niger State has shut down ice cream production facilities operating without the required licences and registration numbers from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) over serious hygiene concerns.

The facilities were reportedly found to have flies in ice cream mixtures, while their products lacked labels indicating their contents and sources.

Officials of the Bida Local Government Council during an inspection of ice cream production facilities in Bida, Niger State. Photo: Bida LG

In a statement posted on Facebook on Thursday, the council’s Chief Press Secretary, Aliyu B. Umar, said the discoveries were made during an inspection conducted by the council’s environmental departments.

According to the statement, samples of substances used in production were subjected to laboratory analysis, which reportedly showed a lack of nutritional value and the presence of substances considered hazardous to human health.

“During the operation, the inspection team discovered serious hygiene concerns, including flies in the mixture used for ice cream production. The products were also found to be without labels, making it difficult to identify their contents and trace their source,” the statement said.

The council disclosed that production was suspended after the factory managers admitted that they did not possess the necessary operating licences and NAFDAC registration numbers.

It added that production equipment and other materials found at the facilities were evacuated as part of the enforcement operation.

The intervention followed complaints by residents about an ice cream production facility located around the Federal Polytechnic Bida area.

The complaints reportedly indicated that several vendors gathered at the facility every morning to purchase ice cream for distribution and sale across Bida, raising concerns about the potential health risks to consumers.

“According to the complaints, numerous vendors reportedly gathered at the facility every morning to purchase the ice cream for distribution and sale across Bida, potentially exposing residents to health risks,” the statement added.

Speaking during the operation, the Supervisory Councillor for Health and Social Welfare, Ahmed Danladi, reaffirmed the council’s commitment to ensuring that food and beverages sold within the local government area were produced under hygienic conditions and in accordance with relevant regulations.

Danladi said the council chairman, UM Manko, would take appropriate action against individuals and businesses involved in illegal food and drink production or found violating public health and environmental regulations.

He also called on residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious food production and distribution activities to the relevant authorities.

The council’s action comes amid concerns over food safety and the risks associated with the production and sale of unregulated consumable products.