The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reassured Nigerians that all Nestlé infant formula products sold in the country are safe for consumption and are not affected by the ongoing recall in more than 50 countries.

 

 

 

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, gave the assurance in a statement issued on Monday, January 12, following public concern over Nestlé UK’s voluntary recall of specific batches of SMA Infant Formula and Follow-On Formula due to the possible presence of cereulide, a toxin associated with nausea and vomiting.

 

 

 

 

“The agency wishes to reassure the public, healthcare professionals, parents, guardians and caregivers that all Nestlé infant formulae currently approved for marketing in Nigeria are safe and are not part of the recall,” Adeyeye said.

 

 

 

She explained that the affected products were limited to certain UK batches and were never registered or approved for sale in Nigeria. “The agency did not register the UK batches that are being recalled,” she stated.

 

 

 

 

 

According to NAFDAC, the SMA products available in Nigeria are manufactured at Nestlé’s Tuas Factory in Singapore and are duly registered with the agency. These include SMA Gold 1 (NAFDAC Reg. No. B1-2783), SMA Gold 2 (B1-2780) and SMA Gold 3 (B1-2781).

 

 

 

NAFDAC also confirmed that both the SMA and NAN infant formula ranges produced for the Nigerian market are not part of the voluntary and precautionary recall announced abroad.

 

 

 

Adeyeye explained that the recall in other countries was linked to the potential presence of cereulide, an extremely heat-resistant toxin produced by certain strains of Bacillus cereus. She noted that the alert was issued purely as a precautionary public health measure.

 

 

 

“This is consistent with NAFDAC’s statutory responsibility to keep Nigerians informed of emerging global food safety concerns, even where the likelihood of local exposure remains minimal,” she said.

 

 

 

 

However, the agency warned that risks could arise through unauthorised importation, online purchases or personal carriage of recalled products into the country during international travel.

 

 

 

“The risks associated with smuggled products and unregulated online transactions cannot be entirely excluded,” Adeyeye cautioned.

 

 

 

She assured Nigerians that NAFDAC maintains strict regulatory oversight through product registration, routine surveillance and post-market monitoring to ensure all food products, especially infant nutrition products, meet approved safety, quality and labelling standards.

 

 

 

“NAFDAC remains fully committed to safeguarding the health of Nigerians, particularly infants and other vulnerable populations. The agency will not hesitate to take prompt regulatory action should any product be found to pose a risk to public health,” she said.

 

 

 

Adeyeye urged the public to rely only on verified information from NAFDAC and other competent authorities, advising that recalled products should be discarded if found and reported to the nearest NAFDAC office or via the agency’s toll-free line, 0800-162-3322. She also encouraged reporting of any adverse reactions

through NAFDAC’s official e-reporting platforms.