NAFDAC Uncovers Fake Baby Formula Ring
KADUNA — The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued an urgent public health alert following the discovery of tampered SMA Gold First Infant Milk Formula in Kaduna State. Agency officials identified a specific 900g batch where unscrupulous merchants allegedly altered expiry dates to resell expired stock. This criminal revalidation came to light after a four-month-old infant suffered severe gastrointestinal distress upon consuming the product. Consequently, Director General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye has ordered a nationwide mop-up of the implicated batch. NAFDAC warns that feeding infants expired formula poses life-threatening risks, including acute gastroenteritis and severe dehydration.
Investigations reveal that the suspects utilized preprinted stickers to mask the original, expired manufacturing details on the tins. Physical examinations of the seized samples confirmed that the top labels were inconsistent with the underlying factory markings. Furthermore, infant formula is a delicate, whey-dominant product designed to mirror the complex nutritional profile of breast milk. Any shelf-life extension beyond regulatory approval causes critical nutrients to degrade and may foster dangerous microbial contamination. This degradation is particularly lethal for infants under six months, whose immune systems lack the resilience to combat pathogenic bacteria.
The agency has deployed zonal directors and state coordinators to surveillance sites to prevent further distribution of the tainted milk. The specific batch under investigation is identified as 22939510A1206, bearing a falsified expiry date of January 20, 2027. NAFDAC emphasizes that date revalidation constitutes a material misrepresentation of safety and a gross violation of the law. In a related development, healthcare providers and caregivers must now exercise extreme vigilance when sourcing pediatric consumables. The agency insists that all regulated products must be obtained only from licensed and authorized suppliers to ensure supply chain integrity.
Furthermore, the agency has activated multiple reporting channels for consumers who encounter suspicious products. Reports can be lodged via the “Med-safety” application or the agency’s dedicated alert email. NAFDAC reaffirms its commitment to purging the Nigerian market of substandard and falsified (SF) regulated products. Meanwhile, parents are urged to observe infants for symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or unusual fussiness after feedings. The battle against food fraud requires a collective effort between the regulator and a vigilant public.