NAFDAC Disowns Viral Fake Products List, Warns Nigerians of Misinformation

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against circulating a viral social media list alleging that several products sold in the country are fake, adulterated or substandard, saying the list is not an official communication from the agency.

The warning comes amid growing concern among consumers over the authenticity and safety of products available in Nigerian markets, with unverified claims circulating online about food, beverages, medicines and other consumer goods.

NAFDAC cautioned that sharing unconfirmed allegations could mislead the public, trigger unnecessary panic and damage the reputation of legitimate manufacturers, distributors and retailers.

The agency stressed that the appearance of a product or brand on a social media list does not automatically establish that it is counterfeit, adulterated or unsafe for consumption or use.

According to the regulator, claims about the safety or quality of products must be assessed through appropriate regulatory procedures, including investigations, product sampling and laboratory testing where necessary.

NAFDAC also explained that official product alerts and recall notices contain verifiable information about the affected products and any regulatory action taken. Consumers were therefore urged to distinguish between confirmed safety warnings and claims circulated by individuals or unofficial social media accounts.

The agency advised Nigerians to consult its official communication channels for information on product recalls, safety alerts, counterfeit medicines and substandard consumer goods before acting on or sharing such claims.

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It further encouraged consumers to report suspected fake or adulterated products to the appropriate authorities for investigation rather than relying solely on viral posts.

NAFDAC warned that the indiscriminate circulation of unverified product allegations could have serious consequences for businesses whose products are wrongly identified, while also making it more difficult for consumers to distinguish genuine safety warnings from misinformation.

The agency’s position highlights the importance of verifying product-related information, particularly when allegations involve widely used brands or essential household items.

Consumers should check the details of any official warning, including the product name, batch number, registration details and instructions issued by the regulator. Where a specific product has been recalled or flagged, the applicable notice should guide consumers on whether to stop using it or take other recommended precautions.

The public is also encouraged to report suspicious products, misleading labels and suspected counterfeit goods through NAFDAC’s official reporting channels.

The agency reiterated the importance of protecting public health and urged Nigerians to verify claims before sharing them online.

Consumers should note that the warning about the viral list does not mean every product named in it has been independently cleared as safe. The status of any particular product should be determined through verified regulatory information and applicable official notices.

NAFDAC Disowns Viral Fake Products List, Warns Nigerians of Misinformation

‘We Are Ignorant, We Don’t Read’ — NAFDAC DG Raises Food Safety Concerns

The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has said poor understanding of food safety guidelines and regulatory responsibilities remains a major challenge in Nigeria.

Adeyeye made the remarks while explaining the roles of government agencies in regulating food products and agricultural practices across the country.

“We are ignorant in this country. We are very ignorant. We don’t read. We don’t understand,” the NAFDAC DG said.

She explained that several government agencies are responsible for different stages of the food chain, from production on the farm to consumption, stressing that NAFDAC’s mandate primarily covers processed and semi-processed foods.

According to Adeyeye, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture has the primary responsibility for fresh agricultural produce sold in markets.

“NAFDAC mandate is for processed or semi-processed foods. So the oranges you buy in the market, we don’t control the oranges you buy in the market,” she said.

However, she said NAFDAC has regulatory responsibilities when pesticides are used in agricultural production because the agency approves, regulates and controls such products.

Adeyeye said NAFDAC works with the Ministry of Agriculture to train farmers on the proper use of pesticides, including the quantity to apply and the appropriate period between treatment and harvesting.

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She said some farmers may misuse agricultural chemicals because they do not fully understand instructions on pesticide labels.

“We have about 56 per cent illiteracy. If it’s a literate country, they will read: ‘Put one teaspoon in one gallon.’ Sometimes our people don’t understand. And they think the more you put, the better,” she said.

The NAFDAC chief said the agency’s Veterinary Medicine and Allied Products Directorate also trains farmers and other stakeholders on the appropriate use of pesticides.

She, however, noted that NAFDAC cannot independently reach the entire farming population because of the number of farmers across the country.

“We cannot go to one million farmers in Nigeria. NAFDAC cannot do that. It is the Ministry of Agriculture that should be doing that,” Adeyeye said.

She added that while NAFDAC has an obligation to support farmer education because of its role in regulating pesticides, the Ministry of Agriculture should take the lead in educating farmers on fresh produce and agricultural practices.

Adeyeye also said many Nigerians do not understand the specific responsibilities of government agencies involved in food regulation, resulting in misplaced expectations about what NAFDAC can regulate.

The comments come amid continuing concerns over food safety, pesticide misuse, counterfeit products and consumer protection in Nigeria.

Adeyeye disclosed that NAFDAC receives more than 200 complaints from Nigerians through its complaint channels each month. The agency also reported receiving 225 complaints involving suspected counterfeit products in August.

She said complaints from consumers provide important leads for NAFDAC’s investigations and enforcement activities.

The agency has continued to urge Nigerians to pay attention to product information, follow safety instructions and report suspected counterfeit, substandard or unsafe products through its established channels.

‘We Are Ignorant, We Don’t Read’ — NAFDAC DG Raises Food Safety Concerns