Through its National Biosafety Management Agency, the Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a seven-day ultimatum to retail store giants, Shoprite and Next Cash ‘N’ Carry to withdraw any product that contains Genetically Modified Organisms from their stores or risk a total shutdown.
The Director-General, NBMA, Dr. Rufus Ebegba, said the complaints has come from the public about the sale of GMO foods in the two stores.
The Director-General, NBMA, Dr. Rufus Ebegba, said the complaints has come from the public about the sale of GMO foods in the two stores.
He stated, “Recently, we carried out a survey of likely GMO products and we have been able to have some collections, some materials that we call GMO suspects. We call them GMO suspects because we have not been able to ascertain their status.
“Why we have invited the superstores basically is for them to understand that some of their products need to be properly ascertained before they are brought in, especially the imported ones that may contain genetically modified materials, so that they will not run afoul of the law.
“There is a law in place. We will not want any segment of the society out of ignorance to act in manners that will infringe on the law. The Biosafety Management Act empowers the NBMA to regulate the activities of modern biotechnology and the use of genetically modified organisms.”
According to him, the agency will not be hesitant in shutting down stores found selling unregistered GMO products in the country.
Edegba encouraged representatives of the superstores to ensure that all GMO products on their shelves were duly registered by the agency by obtaining permits.
He said, “If they have any GMO food in their stores, they should withdraw them from their sheissued a seven-day ultimatum to retail store giants, Shoprite and Next Cash ‘N’ Carry to withdraw any product that contains Genetically Modified Organisms from their stores or risk a total shutdown.
The Director-General, NBMA, Dr. Rufus Ebegba, said the complaints has come from the public about the sale of GMO foods in the two stores.
He stated, “Recently, we carried out a survey of likely GMO products and we have been able to have some collections, some materials that we call GMO suspects. We call them GMO suspects because we have not been able to ascertain their status.
“Why we have invited the superstores basically is for them to understand that some of their products need to be properly ascertained before they are brought in, especially the imported ones that may contain genetically modified materials, so that they will not run afoul of the law.
“There is a law in place. We will not want any segment of the society out of ignorance to act in manners that will infringe on the law. The Biosafety Management Act empowers the NBMA to regulate the activities of modern biotechnology and the use of genetically modified organisms.”
According to him, the agency will not be hesitant in shutting down stores found selling unregistered GMO products in the
Source: The Punch
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