The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has dismissed a widely circulating audio message alleging the agency shut down the Tummy Tummy noodles manufacturing facility in Anambra State and imposed a ban on tinned tomatoes and Maggi seasoning cubes.

 

In an official statement released Wednesday and signed by the Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC described the claims as false, misleading, and without merit.

 

According to Prof. Adeyeye, the audio recording first emerged in October 2023 and has resurfaced on social media and messaging platforms. The agency, she noted, had already thoroughly investigated the claims at that time and found them baseless.

 

“NAFDAC categorically disclaims the contents of the recording and fully dissociates itself from it,” the DG stated.

 

 

 

She clarified that the Tummy Tummy noodles facility was never shut down. Instead, an unscheduled inspection was carried out by a NAFDAC team, which collected samples of four different noodle variants and sent them to the agency’s Agulu Laboratory for analysis.

 

“The results returned satisfactory, with no infractions recorded,” Adeyeye confirmed.

 

 

 

She further debunked the audio’s claim that the noodles contained a preservative known as acetyl methyl, describing it as entirely unfounded. The individual who created the message also falsely claimed to be acting in collaboration with NAFDAC.

 

Adeyeye noted that in response to previous concerns raised in 2023 over the possible presence of ethylene oxide in instant noodles, the agency had conducted a comprehensive investigation across factories and markets in Nigeria.

 

“Findings confirmed that ethylene oxide or its derivative was NOT present in any instant noodles or seasonings produced in Nigeria,” she stated, adding that levels of mycotoxins and heavy metals were within internationally acceptable limits, affirming the safety of Nigerian-made noodles.

 

 

 

On the rumoured ban of tinned tomatoes and Maggi seasoning cubes, NAFDAC categorically denied any such directive.

 

“There is no ban on these products in Nigeria,” Adeyeye emphasized.

 

 

 

She urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and to avoid spreading unverified information that could cause unnecessary panic.

 

“NAFDAC remains proactive and committed to its mandate of safeguarding public health by ensuring that only safe, high-quality, and properly regulated food and drug products are available to Nigerians,” the DG concluded.