Nestlé infant formulae in Nigerian market safe, says NAFDAC amid UK recall

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has assured Nigerians that all Nestlé infant formula products approved for sale in the country are safe for consumption.

The agency said the reassurance follows a recent voluntary recall by Nestlé UK involving specific batches of SMA Infant Formula and Follow-On Formula distributed in over 50 countries. NAFDAC clarified that the recalled products are limited to UK batches and are neither registered nor authorised for sale in Nigeria.

In a statement signed on Monday by the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency explained that the recall was a precautionary measure due to the potential presence of cereulide, a heat-resistant toxin produced by certain strains of Bacillus cereus, which may cause nausea and vomiting.

NAFDAC stressed that the affected batches were not registered by the agency and are not permitted for distribution within Nigeria.

The agency further confirmed that the SMA range available in Nigeria is manufactured at Nestlé’s Tuas Factory in Singapore and is duly registered with NAFDAC. These include SMA GOLD 1 (NAFDAC Reg. No. B1-2783), SMA GOLD 2 (NAFDAC Reg. No. B1-2780), and SMA GOLD 3 (NAFDAC Reg. No. B1-2781).

It added that both the SMA and NAN infant formula ranges produced for the Nigerian market are not part of the recalled batches.

According to NAFDAC, the notice was issued in the interest of public health and in line with its mandate to keep Nigerians informed of global food safety developments, while maintaining vigilance against unauthorised importation, online purchases, or personal carriage of unregistered products.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to strict regulatory oversight through product registration, routine surveillance, and post-market monitoring, particularly of infant nutrition products.

NAFDAC urged members of the public to rely on verified information from the agency, discard any recalled products if encountered, and report suspected sales to the nearest NAFDAC office or via its toll-free line, 0800-162-3322. It also encouraged consumers to report any adverse events through its official e-reporting platforms.