Janet Ogundepo
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has alerted Nigerians about the precautionary recall of Aptamil and Cow and Gate infant milk formula products by Danone Nutricia due to potential contamination with cereulide toxin.
The agency stated that cereulide is a toxin produced by the bacterium Bacillus cereus, known to cause foodborne illness and may cause symptoms such as nausea and severe vomiting.
NAFDAC noted that exposure to toxins in infant and follow-on formulas may result in adverse health effects, including gastrointestinal disturbances, growth and developmental concerns, as well as other toxicological effects, especially in infants and young children.
“Exposure to toxins in infant and follow-on formulas may result in adverse health effects, including but not limited to gastrointestinal disturbances, growth and developmental concerns, as well as other toxicological effects, especially in infants and young children,” NAFDAC stated.
PUNCH Healthwise earlier reported another baby formula brand, Nestle, recalled several batches of its first infant and follow-on formulas and admitted delay before the global recall of the affected products.
In a public alert on its website, NAFDAC stated that the recalled products include Aptamil 1 From Birth First infant milk and Follow-on milk formula in various pack sizes with expiry dates ranging from June 2026 to February 2027.
The agency listed the recalled products to include Aptamil 1 First Infant Milk in 800g and 700g pack sizes, Cow and Gate 1 First Infant Milk in 700g, 1.2kg, 800g, and 600g pack sizes, Cow and Gate 1 First Infant Milk Hungry, Cow and Gate Anti-Reflux, Aptamil 2 Follow-On Milk, and Aptamil Pre-Measured Tabs.
NAFDAC stated that the batches in question were manufactured in Ireland and Hungary and distributed across the European Union, the United Kingdom, and third countries.
The agency, however, clarified that the recall does not impact the Aptamil infant formulae produced specifically for Nigeria, which complies with Codex standards and is safe for consumption.
NAFDAC stated, “It is important to note that Aptamil infant formula and follow-on/growing-up milks are duly registered for the Nigerian market. Any product without the registration number is considered illegal within the Nigerian market.”
The agency listed the duly registered Aptamil products for the Nigerian market to include Aptamil Nutribiotik 1 (Aptamil first infant milk) 800g and 400g with registration number D1-7392, Aptamil Nutribiotik 2 (Aptamil follow-on milk 2) 800g and 400g with registration number D1-7396, and AptaJunior Nutribiotik 3 (Aptamil growing-up milk 3) 800g and 400g with registration number D1-7397.
NAFDAC disclosed that the company has notified the agency that it has proactively blocked products at the warehouse in Nigeria as a precaution and has begun laboratory analysis.
The agency stated that it will keep the public updated on developments as necessary regarding these matters.
NAFDAC strongly advised the public to remain vigilant, obtain infant formula and follow-on formula products only from reliable and authorised sources, and verify product registration details before purchase.
The agency stated that all NAFDAC Zonal Directors and State Coordinators have been activated to carry out surveillance to identify any products from the recalled batches or any illegally sold Aptamil infant formula and follow-on products in the Nigerian market.
NAFDAC encouraged consumers to report suspected availability of unregistered or illegally imported Aptamil infant formula to the nearest NAFDAC office.
The agency urged the public to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of the implicated product to the nearest NAFDAC office, through the e-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng, via the Med-Safety application available for download on Android and iOS stores, or via email on [email protected].
Copyright PUNCH
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]
