Lagos: The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reassured Nigerians, especially parents, that all Nestl© infant formulae approved in Nigeria are safe.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, stated that the approved products were not included in Nestl© UK’s voluntary recall across over 50 countries. ‘The approved infant formulae marketed in Nigeria are not part of the voluntary recall announced by Nestl© UK,’ Adeyeye said.
She explained that the recall was initiated due to the potential presence of cereulide, a toxin known to cause nausea and vomiting if ingested. Cereulide is a highly heat-resistant toxin produced by certain strains of the bacterium Bacillus cereus. Adeyeye emphasized that the SMA range sold in Nigeria is manufactured at Nestl© Tuas Factory in Singapore and is duly registered with NAFDAC. The products include SMA Gold 1, SMA Gold 2, and SMA Gold 3, all of which carry valid NAFDAC registration numbers.
According to her, NAFDAC has verified that the SMA and NAN infant formulae produced for Nigeria are not among the affected batches recalled elsewhere. ‘The alert was issued purely as a precaution, in line with our duty to keep Nigerians informed of global food safety concerns,’ she stated.
Adeyeye cautioned that risks from unauthorized imports, online purchases, or personal carriage during travel could not be entirely ruled out. She asserted that NAFDAC maintains strict oversight through product registration, routine surveillance, and post-market monitoring of infant nutrition products. The Director-General reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to protecting public health, with a focus on infants and other vulnerable groups.
‘Nigerians should rely only on verified information from NAFDAC and relevant authorities,’ Adeyeye advised, urging the public to discard any recalled products found and report suspected sales or distribution to the nearest NAFDAC office.