The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has clarified that Nestlé’s infant formula products recalled in some countries are not available in Nigeria, assuring parents and caregivers that products approved for the Nigerian market are safe.
The clarification followed public concerns triggered by Nestlé UK’s voluntary and precautionary recall of specific batches of SMA Infant Formula and Follow-On Formula in over 50 countries.
PUNCH Healthwise reports that Nestlé expanded a global recall of several batches of its infant and follow-on formulas, including SMA, BEBA, and NAN, across dozens of countries in Europe, Africa, the Americas, and Asia.
The company cited the risk of contamination with a toxin that can cause nausea and vomiting as the reason for its recall.
The food and beverage giant said the recall was prompted by the possible presence of cereulide, a toxin produced by some strains of Bacillus cereus, following the detection of a quality issue in an ingredient supplied by a major vendor.
In a statement issued on Monday, the NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the agency had verified the status of the affected products and found that those products are not sold in Nigerian markets.
“NAFDAC has verified and reiterates that the SMA and NAN range of infant formulae produced for the Nigerian market are not part of the affected batches involved in the voluntary and precautionary recall in other countries,” she stated.
She explained that the alert was issued in line with the agency’s responsibility to keep Nigerians informed about global food safety developments.
“This alert has been issued as a precautionary measure in the interest of public health, consistent with NAFDAC’s statutory responsibility to keep Nigerians duly informed of emerging global food safety concerns, even in circumstances where the likelihood of local exposure remains minimal,” Adeyeye said.
She stressed that all Nestlé infant formula products currently approved for marketing in Nigeria are safe and not included in the global recall.
Reiterating its oversight role, Adeyeye said NAFDAC remains cautious about possible indirect exposure through unauthorised channels.
“The Agency continues to exercise utmost vigilance, recognizing that the risks associated with unauthorized importation, online transactions, or personal carriage of such products during international travel cannot be entirely excluded,” she said.
She added that NAFDAC maintains strict regulatory control over infant nutrition products in the country.
“The Agency continues to exercise strict regulatory oversight, including product registration, routine surveillance, and post-market monitoring, to ensure that all food products—especially infant nutrition products—meet approved safety, quality, and labeling standards,” the statement read.
Providing further clarification, the NAFDAC boss confirmed that the SMA range sold in Nigeria is manufactured at the Nestlé Tuas Factory in Singapore and is duly registered with the agency.
According to her, the registered products include SMA Gold 1 with NAFDAC Registration Number B1-2783, SMA Gold 2 with Registration Number B1-2780, and SMA Gold 3 with Registration Number B1-2781.
Reaffirming the agency’s commitment to public safety, Adeyeye said, “NAFDAC remains fully committed to safeguarding the health of Nigerians, particularly infants and vulnerable populations. The Agency will not hesitate to take prompt regulatory action should any product be found to pose a risk to public health.”
PUNCH Healthwise also reports that Nestlé Nigeria Plc had clarified that its infant formula sold in Nigeria was not included in the voluntary, precautionary recall announced in some foreign markets.
The company said specific batches distributed outside Nigeria were involved in the recall.
“We would like to reassure consumers that all SMA and NAN product ranges sold by Nestlé Nigeria are safe for consumption,” Nestlé Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Manager, Toju Egbebi, said.
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