NAFDAC Reassures Nigerians: Locally Approved Nestlé Infant Formula Is Safe Despite UK Recall

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has assured Nigerians that all Nestlé SMA Infant Formula products officially approved for sale in the country are safe for consumption, despite an ongoing recall affecting some batches in the United Kingdom.

The agency clarified that the recalled products in the UK were never registered or approved for the Nigerian market.

In a statement signed by NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency addressed growing public concerns linked to Nestlé UK’s voluntary recall of specific SMA Infant Formula and Follow-On Formula batches in more than 50 countries.

“NAFDAC wishes to clarify the recent public concerns arising from the voluntary global recall in over 50 countries by Nestlé UK of specific batches of its SMA Infant Formula and Follow-On Formula due to the potential presence of cereulide, a toxin, in the batches concerned.

“The Agency wishes to reassure the public, healthcare professionals, relevant stakeholders particularly parents, guardians and caregivers, that all Nestlé Infant Formulae currently approved for marketing in Nigeria are safe for consumption and are not part of the recall.”

According to Prof. Adeyeye, the recall in the affected countries was prompted by the possible presence of cereulide, a toxin that can cause nausea and vomiting when ingested. Cereulide is a highly heat-resistant toxin produced by certain strains of the bacterium Bacillus cereus.

NAFDAC further confirmed that the SMA products sold in Nigeria are manufactured in Singapore and properly registered with the agency.

“The SMA range sold in Nigeria is manufactured at Nestlé Tuas Factory, Singapore, and is duly registered with NAFDAC as follows:
SMA GOLD 1 – NAFDAC Reg. No.: B1-2783
SMA GOLD 2 – NAFDAC Reg. No.: B1-2780
SMA GOLD 3 – NAFDAC Reg. No.: B1-2781

“NAFDAC has verified and reiterates that the SMA and NAN range of infant formulae produced for the Nigerian market are not part of the affected batches involved in the voluntary and precautionary recall in other countries.”

The Director General explained that the public advisory was issued as a precaution in line with NAFDAC’s mandate to protect public health and keep Nigerians informed of global food safety developments, even where local exposure is unlikely.

“The Agency continues to exercise utmost vigilance, recognising that the risks associated with unauthorised importation, online transactions, or personal carriage of such products during international travel cannot be entirely excluded.

“The Agency continues to exercise strict regulatory oversight, including product registration, routine surveillance, and post-market monitoring, to ensure that all food products especially infant nutrition products meet approved safety, quality, and labeling standards.”

NAFDAC urged parents and caregivers to purchase infant nutrition products only from authorised sources to avoid exposure to unapproved or illegally imported items.