NSCDC Busts Illegal Factory Producing Allegedly Adulterated ‘Barkas Juice’ in Lagos

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, has uncovered an illegal factory in Badagry where adulterated fruit juice branded as “Barkas Juice” was allegedly being produced and distributed across several parts of Nigeria.

Two women, aged 48 and 50, were arrested during the operation, which followed about five days of surveillance by NSCDC operatives from the Badagry area in collaboration with a Nigerian Army formation in the community.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Oluwaseun Abolurin, disclosed the development in a statement on Monday. The NSCDC said preliminary investigations indicated that the juice contained high levels of sugar, water, colourants, dyes and additives, with no real fruit used in its production.

Investigators also found that the alleged production was taking place in a highly unhygienic environment. The Corps said the product was being supplied to markets in Lagos, Benin City in Edo State and other locations across the country.

The NSCDC further raised concerns over the NAFDAC registration number 01-2166L allegedly displayed on the product, saying it suspected the number was fake. The Corps described the production process as involving water, synthetic flavourings, industrial sweeteners, artificial colourants and chemical preservatives instead of real fruit.

One of the suspects reportedly told investigators that the business was originally started by her grandmother as a water production venture. She said the operation was later expanded into fruit juice production and that she inherited the business about 20 years ago.

The raid, which took place between 9pm on Saturday and midnight on Sunday, led to the recovery of a truck, cartons of Barkas Juice, production machinery, chemicals, drums and a gas cylinder. The Lagos State NSCDC Commandant, Adedotun Keshinro, ordered the immediate closure of the unregistered factory and said the suspects would undergo further investigation before prosecution.

Keshinro also said the command would work with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other relevant agencies as investigations continue. The NSCDC warned that the circulation of allegedly adulterated food products poses serious public health concerns, amid wider concerns over counterfeit and substandard consumer goods in Nigeria.