The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has issued a warning to healthcare providers and the public about a suspected revalidated SMA Gold First Infant Milk Formula found on sale in Kaduna State.
The safety alert followed a complaint that the product allegedly caused gastrointestinal distress in a four-month-old infant after consumption.
The warning highlights growing concerns over product tampering and the serious public health risks associated with altered expiry dates on regulated food items.
NAFDAC stated that physical examination of the product sample revealed clear signs of date alteration. The manufacturing and expiry details on a preprinted sticker were inconsistent with the originally printed markings underneath.
“The product allegedly caused gastrointestinal distress in a 4-month-old infant following consumption. Physical examination of the complaint product sample revealed clear indicators of date marking alteration. The manufacturing and expiry date on the top preprinted sticker was inconsistent with the underlying, originally printed version. This confirms the suspicion of revalidation and tampering,” they stated.
The agency explained that altering shelf-life information without approval creates significant risks, including microbial contamination and nutrient degradation.
NAFDAC described revalidating infant formula dates as product adulteration and consumer deception, misleading buyers about the product’s freshness and safety.
It warned that expired infant formula can harbour harmful microorganisms and degraded nutrients. This increases the risk of acute gastroenteritis, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, malnutrition, and secondary infections in infants with developing immune systems. Severe contamination could result in fatal outcomes.
The agency has directed nationwide surveillance to identify and remove revalidated products from circulation. It urged distributors to source products only from authorised suppliers and to verify packaging authenticity.
Product details include: Product name: SMA Gold From Birth First Infant Milk, 900g; Stated manufacturer: Nestlé; Batch number: 22939510A1206 07:35; Manufacturing date: 20 January 2025; Expiry date: 20 January 2027 (suspected alteration); NAFDAC registration number: B1-2783; Status: Revalidated/tampered.
Nigeria’s drug regulator has intensified enforcement actions against counterfeit and substandard products in recent years.
In a major operation in Lagos, NAFDAC intercepted counterfeit malaria medicines valued at over N1.2 billion hidden in a warehouse. The fake drugs were illegally imported and disguised as other goods before being seized by agency operatives.
Beyond Lagos, NAFDAC took custody of large consignments of counterfeit pharmaceutical products handed over by the Nigeria Customs Service, valued at over N9.23 billion. This reflects the scale of illicit imports and ongoing enforcement efforts.
In Port Harcourt, the agency intercepted 16 containers of fake and banned regulated products worth an estimated N20.5 billion. The consignment included unregistered and substandard medicines as part of operations targeting dangerous products at ports and markets.
NAFDAC has also destroyed unwholesome and expired medical products valued at more than N15 billion in Ibadan, removing falsified and harmful drugs from circulation to safeguard public health.
