After Nestlé UK voluntarily recalled certain batches of SMA Infant Formula and Follow-On Formula in more than 50 countries, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control reassured Nigerians that all Nestlé infant formula products authorized for sale in the nation are safe.
The NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, clarified in a statement released today that the recalled products were UK batches that were pulled as a precaution because they might contain cereulide, a heat-resistant toxin that can induce nausea and vomiting and is produced by some strains of Bacillus cereus.
According to The PUNCH, the agency emphasized that these batches were not authorized for distribution in Nigeria and were not registered with NAFDAC.
It verified that Nestlé’s Tuas Factory in Singapore produces the SMA line that is sold in Nigeria and is properly registered with NAFDAC.
One of these is SMA GOLD 1 (NAFDAC Registration Number B1-2783), followed by SMA GOLD 2 (NAFDAC Registration Number B1-2780) and SMA GOLD 3 (NAFDAC Registration Number B1-2781).
According to the statement, “NAFDAC has further verified that the SMA and NAN ranges produced for the Nigerian market are not part of the recalled batches.”
According to NAFDAC, the notification is being published in the interest of public health and in accordance with its responsibility to alert Nigerians of changes pertaining to food safety worldwide.
Along with reaffirming its strict regulatory oversight through product registration, routine surveillance, and post-market monitoring of infant nutrition products, the agency also emphasized its vigilance against unauthorized importation, online purchases, and personal carriage of unregistered products.
“NAFDAC is still totally dedicated to protecting Nigerians’ health, especially that of newborns and other vulnerable populations.
The statement went on, “The public is advised to rely on verified information from NAFDAC, discard any recalled products if encountered, and report suspected sales to the nearest NAFDAC office or call 0800-162-3322.”
The announcement comes after Nestlé Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Manager, Toju Egbebi, clarified in a statement released in Lagos on Friday that the voluntary recall did not apply to its locally supplied infant formula products.
“We want to reassure customers that all of Nestlé Nigeria’s SMA and NAN product lines are safe to eat.”
Egbebi went on to say that all Nestlé baby formula products in Nigeria meet national and international food safety and quality requirements and are formally registered with NAFDAC.
Parents and caregivers are being advised by NAFDAC and Nestlé Nigeria to maintain composure, utilize locally registered products, and, when in doubt, seek advice from reliable sources.
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