In a move to calm rising public anxiety, Nigeria's food and drug regulator has issued a clear statement regarding the safety of Nestlé's baby milk products sold within the country. This comes after Nestlé UK initiated a voluntary global recall of its SMA Infant Formula in over 50 nations.
Official Reassurance from the Regulatory Body
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has directly addressed concerns linked to the international recall. The agency's Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, released a detailed clarification on 13 January 2026. The core message is one of assurance for Nigerian parents and caregivers.
"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," the statement firmly declared.
Why the Global Recall Happened
The precautionary recall in other countries was triggered by the potential presence of a toxin called cereulide in specific batches manufactured in the UK. NAFDAC explained that cereulide is a heat-resistant toxin produced by some strains of the Bacillus cereus bacterium, which can cause symptoms like nausea and vomiting if consumed.
However, the agency was quick to highlight a critical distinction for the Nigerian market. The SMA range of infant formula sold in Nigeria is produced at the Nestlé Tuas Factory in Singapore, not in the UK facility linked to the problematic batches. All products available locally are duly registered with NAFDAC.
Vigilance Against Unauthorized Imports
NAFDAC confirmed that the SMA and NAN ranges of infant formulae produced for Nigeria are not involved in the voluntary recall. The alert was issued as part of the agency's standard procedure to keep citizens informed about global food safety issues, even when local risk is minimal.
The statement concluded with a note of continued caution, recognizing that risks could arise from unofficial channels. "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," it added. This underscores the importance of purchasing only NAFDAC-approved products from authorised distributors within Nigeria.
