South African departmental stores Shoprite in Nigeria have been directed to withdraw all Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) food from their stock after complaints that the managements had refused to properly label the food.
The government went ahead to warn that any outlets selling the items would be shut, reports the Africa Review.
The National Bio-safety Management Agency (NBMA) Director General, Dr Rufus Ebegba, has advised Nigerians to have no fears about the GMO products.
“Nigerians do not need to worry, there is no cause for alarm, and the agency will make sure that things are done right in this country,’’ Dr Ebegba said.
“One thing that I want people to understand is that, we are not saying that genetically modified organisms are bad, but to be sure that what we are consuming are safe.”
He said the essence of the directive was to ensure that no GMO product that was not tested would find its way into the nation’s markets.
“The directive was to all department stores and super stores that are selling genetically modified foods, and not specific ones as reported by the press.
Nigerians have been complaining that unsuspecting shoppers were buying the items.
“It is to further streamline imported products and to strengthen the fact that Nigeria should not serve as a dumping ground for all kinds of GM foods.”
He said that although most genetically modified foods from other countries were certified, agencies in Nigeria must do to its own certification to be double sure.
Dr Ebegba said that experts were working together to make sure that all GMOs in the country were labeled.
