The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has denied issuing a list of products in the Nigerian market that are allegedly fake, adulterated, or substandard. The list, which has been circulating on social media, was described as unverified and not an official regulatory alert, recall notice, or safety communication from NAFDAC.
According to NAFDAC, its regulatory communications are usually specific and verifiable, with details of the affected product or batch and the regulatory action taken where a product is found to be substandard, falsified, adulterated, or otherwise unsafe. The agency said it does not declare products fake or unsafe without following established regulatory processes, including investigation, sampling, and scientific and laboratory analysis.
NAFDAC warned that accepting an unverified list as an official declaration could trigger unnecessary consumer panic, disrupt legitimate businesses, distort purchasing decisions, and undermine confidence in properly regulated products. The agency also noted that unverified claims could have consequences beyond consumer confusion, particularly for legitimate manufacturers, distributors, and retailers whose products may be wrongly identified.
The agency urged consumers, healthcare professionals, manufacturers, distributors, and other stakeholders to rely on its official communication channels for information on product alerts, recalls, withdrawals, suspensions, and other regulatory actions. NAFDAC also encouraged Nigerians to continue reporting suspected counterfeit, adulterated, or substandard products, describing such reports as valuable regulatory intelligence.
NAFDAC said it remained committed to protecting the health of Nigerians by ensuring that regulated products meet established standards of safety, quality, and efficacy. The agency added that it would continue to take enforcement action where investigations and scientific assessments establish that a product requires regulatory intervention.
The viral list, which has been circulating on social media, did not emanate from NAFDAC, the agency said, urging Nigerians not to circulate it as an official NAFDAC publication. Members of the public were strongly advised to disregard the viral list in its entirety and to refrain from sharing or amplifying the unverified information.
NAFDAC's warning highlights the importance of verifying information, especially when it comes to product safety and regulatory actions. The agency's commitment to protecting public health and ensuring that products meet established standards is crucial in maintaining consumer trust and confidence in the market.
Key points
- NAFDAC disowned a viral list of fake products circulating on social media, saying it did not originate from the agency.
- The agency warned that unverified claims could have consequences beyond consumer confusion, particularly for legitimate manufacturers, distributors, and retailers.
- NAFDAC urged Nigerians to rely on its official communication channels for information on product alerts and regulatory actions.
