By Francis Ajuonuma
The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has advised the general public to disregard a video that went viral on social media space recently showing a woman washing Golden Penny Semovita in a sieve using cold water after which she claimed that the residue she got after sieving was plastic.
NAFDAC in a release signed by Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola and made available to ThisNigeria described the claim as untrue and misleading, noting that a similar video was shown in 2020, leading to the agency conducting appropriate analytical testing in her internationally accredited laboratories.
According to the agency, the results that came out from the investigation showed no plastic or any similar harmful contaminants in Golden Penny Semovita as it contained the expected components plus the required Vitamin A.
“A similar video was shown in 2020 and at the end of our investigation, it discovered that the claim was misleading, noting that the alleged Golden Penny Semovita is a brand of semolina, made from wheat and contains mainly water, carbohydrates, and about 13 per cent of gluten-forming proteins.
“Gluten is made up of two classes of proteins – glutenin and gliadin, which upon addition of water combine to form gluten, a protein that gives nutritive value and imparts other characteristic properties to the product.
“Semolina has no plastic content in it; it only exhibits viscous and elastic properties. The rubbery-like material that was observed in the video after many washing with water is the gluten that formed after the gluten-forming proteins get mixed with water.
“Golden Penny Semovita is manufactured by Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc., a registered company that has been granted marketing authorization by NAFDAC to manufacture the product and offer it for sale in Nigeria, Sayo stated in the release.
“The company’s operations were certified by NAFDAC after meeting the requirements of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and the relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS).
“NAFDAC wishes to reassure the public that Golden Penny Semovita and indeed all other semolina products registered by the Agency are safe for human consumption having been so approved by the Agency, following science-driven regulatory diligence.
READ ALSO: Food prices continue to rise – NBS
“There is no cause for apprehension by consumers as such approved products are manufactured in line with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and in compliance with the Nigerian Industrial Standards, which is continuously monitored by NAFDAC.
“Members of the public are implored to exercise discretion in the use of social media to address any suspicion they may have on regulated products.
“Resorting to social media has the tendency to cause fear and panic. Rather, they should contact the nearest NAFDAC office or contact NAFDAC via online channels,” he added.
