The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has recently warned Nigerians not to consume “Pure Tassie Organic Apple and Blackcurrant Juice”, which has its origin in Australia.
Prof. Moji Adeyeye, NAFDAC Director-General, who issued the warning through the press revealed that the products had been certified harmful for human consumption. She added that the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of Hong Kong’s Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has also warned against the consumption of the product.
“This was due to unacceptable level of patulin (a mycotoxin) which has exceeded the maximum limit in fruit juice,” she said.
The NAFDAC DG further added that the level of patulin content in the affected fruit juice can induce liver spleen and kidney damage.
She said that the toxic level will compromise the immune system and cause nausea, gastrointestinal disturbance and vomiting.
Adeyeye also implored importers, distributors, retailers and consumers to immediately stop the importation, distribution, sale and consumption of the affected fruit juice.
She equally urged members of the public in possession of Pure Tassie fruit juice to submit it to the nearest NAFDAC office.
She also called on healthcare professionals and consumers to report adverse events related to the use of the product to the nearest NAFDAC office through NAFDAC PRASCOR (20543 TOLL FREE from all networks).
Adeyeye said the agency could be reached through
pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng or through the NAFDAC ADR e-Reporting platform available at
