The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has clarified that the recalled Indomie Noodles Vegetable Flavour flagged by French food safety authority, Rappel Conso, did not originate from Nigeria and is not a NAFDAC-registered product.
NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, following public concern triggered by reports of the recall circulating online on Friday.
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The French authority recalled the product over the presence of undeclared allergens, specifically milk and eggs, which could pose health risks to consumers with allergies or intolerances.
NAFDAC stressed that the affected product is not sold in Nigeria and is not registered for distribution in the country. The agency also noted that noodles are on the Federal Government’s Import Prohibition List, meaning their importation into Nigeria is not permitted.
The agency said it has undertaken measures to guard against the possible entry of the recalled product into Nigeria.
It added that surveillance has been directed across all zones and states to mop up the product if found in any jurisdiction.
“The management of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is aware of the recall of Indomie Noodles Vegetable Flavour by the French authority (Rappel Conso of France) on account of the presence of undeclared allergens, specifically milk and eggs, which may pose significant health risks to consumers with allergies or intolerances,” the statement read.
“In light of this development, NAFDAC has undertaken some proactive measures as a responsive regulator by ensuring increased vigilance actions to guard against the possible entry of the recalled product into Nigeria.
“Surveillance has been directed across all zones and states, and zonal directors and state coordinators have been mandated to mop up the product if found within their jurisdictions.
“The public is hereby informed that the Indomie Noodles Vegetable Flavour in question is not registered with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for sale in Nigeria,” NAFDAC added.
The agency further stated that Indomie Instant Noodles products, as well as other noodle brands registered by NAFDAC for sale in the Nigerian market, are manufactured locally in Nigeria and are only granted registration after a strict regulatory regime covering all aspects of good manufacturing practice.
It also stated that its Ports Inspection Directorate had also been placed on heightened alert to guard against the importation of the implicated product into the country.
NAFDAC ordered investigations and assured the public that all noodles produced in Nigeria were safe for consumption.
It urged consumers to exercise caution, discard the recalled product if found, and report any suspicion of its sale or distribution to the nearest NAFDAC office or call 0800-162-3322. Adverse events or side effects related to consumption should be reported via NAFDAC’s e-reporting platforms available on www.nafdac.gov.ng.