AN APPRISAL OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED FOOD ENTERPRISES AND THE NATIONAL AGENCY FOR FOOD, DRUG ADMINISTRATION AND CONTROL (NAFDAC)

ABSTRACT

The paper examines small and medium-sized food enterprises and the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The objectives of the study were to access the nature, mode of operations of NAFDAC, contributions of NAFDAC to the survival of food SMEs in Nigeria and find out the challenges faced by food SMEs in the process of registration and certification by NAFDAC. In this study, survey was used. Five (5) questionnaires were distributed to small and medium food enterprises managers in Uvwie Local Government Area, Effurun, Delta State and there were no unreturned questionnaires. It was discovered from the study that NAFDAC regulates the manufacturing, importation, advertisement, distribution, sales and use of food and drugs. It was also found out that small and medium-sized food enterprises enjoy benefits such as improved business image, increased profit and reduced product adulteration, from NAFDAC. It was shown from the study that without the certification and approval of products by NAFDAC, food SMEs would decline. According to the study, the challenges faced by NAFDAC was shown to be the long period of registration and the high cost of registration. Due to the challenges encountered by SMEs during the process of registration and certification, the study recommends that NAFDAC registration cost and periods should be reduced in order for more SMEs to be encouraged to register their food products. Minimum periods should be allowed for products to be test run in the market. Minimum quality standard should also be set and categorized for products of small enterprise.