The Federal Government, through its National
Biosafety Management Agency, 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
shelves or risk a total shutdown.
The warning was handed out to representatives of
the two superstores at a briefing in Abuja on
Friday.
The Director-General, NBMA, Dr. Rufus Ebegba,
said the agency had received complaints from
members of 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 hesitate to
shut down any of the stores found selling
unregistered GMO products in the country.
Edegba called on 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
shelves within seven days. The NBMA will not
hesitate to shut down those stores found selling
GMO products. We will not want to see any GMO
food in your stores. We urge you to comply with
this Act.
“We have taken samples, which we are analysing.
This information is not peculiar to only the
superstores. We are not threatening anybody, we
are just telling you the consequences of dealing in
GMO products if found in these stores. Within the
next seven days, we believe you will withdraw
from your shelves all foods that are derived from
genetically modified organisms.”
The NBMA boss added, “Please, it is an advice
and this advice is not without a legal backing. So
we urge you to withdraw all GMO foods from your
shelves and formalise your dealings by obtaining
permits.
The Federal Government, through its National
Biosafety Management Agency, 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
shelves or risk a total shutdown.
The warning was handed out to representatives of
the two superstores at a briefing in Abuja on
Friday.
The Director-General, NBMA, Dr. Rufus Ebegba,
said the agency had received complaints from
members of 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 hesitate to
shut down any of the stores found selling
unregistered GMO products in the country.
Edegba called on 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
shelves within seven days. The NBMA will not
hesitate to shut down those stores found selling
GMO products. We will not want to see any GMO
food in your stores. We urge you to comply with
this Act.
“We have taken samples, which we are analysing.
This information is not peculiar to only the
superstores. We are not threatening anybody, we
are just telling you the consequences of dealing in
GMO products if found in these stores. Within the
next seven days, we believe you will withdraw
from your shelves all foods that are derived from
genetically modified organisms.”
The NBMA boss added, “Please, it is an advice
and this advice is not without a legal backing. So
we urge you to withdraw all GMO foods from your
shelves and formalise your dealings by obtaining
permits.
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