Police, Man Clash Over NAFDAC Registration Number on Zobo Drinks

A disagreement between police officers and a Nigerian man over the demand for a registration number from a seller of bottled zobo drinks has attracted widespread attention on social media.

A video circulating online on Wednesday showed officers questioning a woman selling the locally prepared hibiscus drink and asking her to produce the products’ registration number from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), alongside the required labels.

One of the officers insisted that the drinks were expected to carry a NAFDAC registration number and questioned whether he had the authority to request the information in the course of his duties.

The demand prompted objections from people at the scene, including a man who was recording the encounter. He challenged the officers over their request, questioning whether they were justified in demanding the registration details from the seller.

The exchange became tense as the man accused the officers of spending an extended period questioning the woman over what he described as an ordinary local drink.

He also said he was a content creator and intended to publish the incident on social media, where the footage subsequently attracted public reactions.

The video has generated debate over the responsibilities of police officers in enforcing product regulations and the roles of specialised agencies such as NAFDAC.

While some reactions questioned the officers’ authority to demand product registration details, others highlighted the importance of ensuring that beverages sold to the public meet applicable safety and regulatory standards.

There was no immediate official statement from the police or NAFDAC clarifying the circumstances of the encounter or the specific regulatory requirements applicable to the seller’s products.

NAFDAC is responsible for regulating and controlling the manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale and use of food, drugs and other regulated products in Nigeria.

The incident has renewed discussion about how regulatory requirements are communicated and enforced among small-scale traders, particularly those selling locally prepared beverages.

It also underscores the need for clarity over the respective responsibilities of law enforcement officers and regulatory agencies when addressing possible violations involving food and drink products.