The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned the public against the sale of unregistered SMA infant formula products, in the wake of a global recall of Nestlé baby formula affecting 60 countries worldwide.
In a notice published on its website, the agency stressed that Nigeria is not part of the global recall, but cautioned that any SMA infant formula sold locally without approved NAFDAC registration numbers is illegal.
According to the agency, the only SMA products duly registered for sale in Nigeria are:
• SMA Gold 1 (NAFDAC No. B1-2783)
• SMA Gold 2 (NAFDAC No. B1-2780)
• SMA Gold 3 (NAFDAC No. B1-2781)
NAFDAC said any SMA infant formula in circulation without these numbers should be considered unregistered and illegal.
On the reason for the recall, the agency explained that the batches withdrawn globally were linked to the possible presence of cereulide, a heat-resistant toxin associated with the bacterium Bacillus cereus, known to cause nausea and severe vomiting.
NAFDAC added that the recall does not affect SMA products manufactured for the Nigerian market and urged consumers to purchase infant formula only from authorised sources.
The agency said it has deployed zonal directors and state coordinators nationwide to monitor distribution channels and identify unregistered or recalled products.
Consumers were advised to report sightings of unregistered infant formula to the nearest NAFDAC office and to file adverse event reports through its online platforms.
Nestlé confirmed the global recall on January 5, covering selected batches of SMA, NAN, BEBA and Alfamino brands. Updated company information listed 60 affected countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and Oceania.
Nestlé Nigeria Plc reiterated that its products are not affected by the recall, stating that all infant formula officially registered with NAFDAC, including SMA Gold 1, 2 and 3, and NAN Optipro 1, 2 and 3, remain safe and compliant with regulatory standards.
