NAFDAC Raises Public Alert Over Suspected Expired Infant Formula in Kaduna
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a critical public alert regarding a suspected revalidated batch of SMA Gold First Infant Milk Formula (900g) reportedly discovered on sale in Kaduna state. This urgent warning follows a complaint involving a four-month-old infant who experienced gastrointestinal distress after consuming the product, prompting immediate regulatory action.
Details of the Suspected Product Tampering
In an official public notice, NAFDAC disclosed that preliminary investigations indicate possible tampering with the product's expiry information. A physical examination of a sample revealed signs of date manipulation, where the manufacturing and expiry dates printed on a top sticker did not align with the original markings underneath. This discrepancy confirms suspicions that the product may have been revalidated without proper approval, constituting a severe regulatory breach.
NAFDAC emphasized that SMA Gold Infant Formula is designed as a nutritionally complete, whey-dominant formula intended to replicate the nutritional composition of breast milk for infants from birth to six months. The agency stressed that strict adherence to regulatory standards is essential to ensure product safety and protect vulnerable infants.
Health Risks Associated with Expired Infant Formula
The agency warned that unauthorized alteration or extension of a product's shelf life poses serious public health risks. Date revalidation is described as a major regulatory violation that amounts to product adulteration and misrepresentation of quality and safety. False date markings can mislead caregivers about a product's freshness and nutritional value, potentially exposing infants to significant dangers.
Expired infant formula may become contaminated or lose vital nutrients, which is particularly hazardous for infants with developing immune systems. NAFDAC outlined possible complications linked to deteriorated formula, including:
- Acute gastroenteritis requiring hospitalization
- Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
- Malnutrition and secondary infections in vulnerable infants
- In severe cases, fatal outcomes if contamination occurs
Call to Action for Healthcare Providers and the Public
NAFDAC has urged healthcare professionals, caregivers, and members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected sale of substandard or falsified regulated products. Complaints can be made through multiple channels, including:
- Hotline: 0800-162-3322 (call)
- Email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng or pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng
- NAFDAC's website and e-reporting platforms
- The Med Safety App available on Android and iOS devices
The agency reiterated that prompt reporting is crucial to prevent further health incidents and ensure regulatory compliance across Nigeria.
Recent NAFDAC Enforcement Actions
This alert comes amid ongoing efforts by NAFDAC to combat counterfeit and unsafe products. In a related development, the agency recently uncovered a warehouse in Lagos state filled with banned, counterfeit, and unregistered cosmetic products valued at over N3 billion. The storage facility, hidden inside an uncompleted building at the APT Trade Fair Complex, contained items such as Crusader soap, E45 soap, and Extract Gold whitening soaps, all prohibited by the federal government due to safety concerns.
Other recovered products included assorted perfumes, body oils, and cooking oils, which have been placed on hold pending further regulatory checks to determine their compliance status. These actions underscore NAFDAC's commitment to safeguarding public health through rigorous enforcement and public awareness campaigns.
