By BONIFACE AKARAH

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has assured Nigerians that all Nestlé infant formula products approved and sold in Nigeria are safe for consumption and are not affected by the recent global recall of certain batches of SMA infant formula by Nestlé UK.

The reassurance follows public concerns generated by Nestlé UK’s voluntary recall of specific SMA Infant Formula and Follow-On Formula batches in more than 50 countries due to the potential presence of cereulide, a toxin that can cause nausea and vomiting.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, the agency clarified that none of the recalled products were registered for sale in Nigeria.

“All Nestlé Infant Formulae currently approved for marketing in Nigeria are safe for consumption and are not part of the recall,” Adeyeye said.

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, SMA Gold 2, and SMA Gold 3, each bearing valid NAFDAC registration numbers.

The agency explained that the recall in affected countries was linked to UK-manufactured batches with a potential risk of cereulide contamination. Cereulide is a heat-resistant toxin produced by certain strains of Bacillus cereus.

NAFDAC further confirmed that both the SMA and NAN ranges of infant formula produced for the Nigerian market are not connected to the recalled batches.

“The SMA and NAN infant formulae supplied to Nigeria are not part of the affected batches involved in the voluntary and precautionary recall in other countries,” the statement said.

The agency noted that the alert was issued as a precautionary public health measure, in line with its responsibility to keep Nigerians informed of global food safety developments, even where the likelihood of local exposure is minimal.

“While the risk of local exposure remains low, unauthorized importation, online purchases, or personal carriage of products during international travel cannot be completely ruled out,” Adeyeye said.

NAFDAC reaffirmed that it continues to maintain strict regulatory oversight through product registration, routine surveillance, and post-market monitoring, especially for infant nutrition products.

The agency urged members of the public to remain vigilant, rely only on verified information from NAFDAC, and discard any recalled products if found. Nigerians were also encouraged to report suspected sales or distribution of such products to the nearest NAFDAC office or through its toll-free number, 0800-162-3322.

Adverse reactions linked to infant formula consumption, NAFDAC said, should be reported through its official e-reporting platforms available on its website.

NAFDAC reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public health, particularly that of infants and other vulnerable groups, assuring that prompt regulatory action would be taken if any product is found to pose a risk.