Niger LG shuts ice cream factories over hygiene violations

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

The Bida Local Government in Niger State has shut down ice cream production facilities operating without the required licences and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control registration numbers.

The council said the facilities were found to have serious hygiene lapses, including flies in ice cream mixtures, during an inspection by its environmental departments.

In a statement posted on Facebook on Thursday, the council’s Chief Press Secretary, Aliyu B. Umar, said the products had no labels to identify their contents or trace their sources.

“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 substances used in production were subsequently subjected to laboratory analysis, which reportedly revealed a lack of nutritional value and the presence of substances considered dangerous to human health,” the statement read.

According to the statement, production was halted after factory managers confirmed that they lacked the required licences and NAFDAC registration numbers.

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The council also evacuated production equipment and related materials from the facilities.

The operation followed complaints from residents about an ice cream production facility around the Federal Polytechnic Bida area.

“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, said the council was committed to ensuring that food and drinks sold to residents were produced under hygienic conditions and in compliance with relevant regulations.

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

Danladi also urged residents to report suspicious food production and distribution activities to the relevant authorities.