The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert warning Nigerians about the circulation of suspected counterfeit and unregistered Cerelac Mixed Fruits and Wheat infant food products in Lagos State.
The agency disclosed that the alert followed a complaint from Nestlé Nigeria Plc regarding the sale of products allegedly linked to Nestlé Spain, which were later identified as suspected fake and potentially unsafe for consumption.
NAFDAC stated that preliminary investigations revealed irregularities in the affected products, including an unusual odour that raised concerns about possible contamination, as well as evidence that the items had expired despite bearing a future expiry date of October 2026, suggesting possible tampering with packaging details.
Brandspur Brand News reports that the agency’s Post Marketing Surveillance (PMS) Directorate conducted a targeted inspection at a retail outlet in Okota, Lagos, where the suspected counterfeit Cerelac products were discovered on sale and subsequently removed from circulation.
The surveillance operation was carried out at a shopping centre along Ago Palace Way, where officers confirmed the presence of the unregistered products, which were then mopped up to prevent further distribution to unsuspecting consumers.
NAFDAC highlighted key differences between the authentic and suspected counterfeit products, noting that the date marking format serves as a distinguishing feature, with the counterfeit versions reportedly using a hyphen (-) in date separation, while the registered products use a slash (/) format.
The agency warned that counterfeit infant food products pose serious health risks, particularly to babies, as they may lack essential nutrients or contain harmful substances capable of causing developmental complications, illness or even death.
Consumers, distributors and retailers have been urged to exercise caution by sourcing products only from authorised and verified suppliers, while healthcare professionals and the general public are advised to report any suspected counterfeit or unregistered products to the nearest NAFDAC office or through official communication channels.
NAFDAC also directed its field officers across the country to intensify surveillance activities and ensure that any similar products identified in circulation are promptly removed from the market to safeguard public health.
The agency reiterated its commitment to protecting consumers from falsified and substandard regulated products, noting that such enforcement actions form part of ongoing efforts to maintain food and drug safety standards nationwide.
This latest alert comes amid a series of recent enforcement operations by NAFDAC targeting counterfeit and unwholesome products, including fake medicines and adulterated infant formulas, as part of its broader mandate to eliminate unsafe items from the Nigerian market.
Authorities continue to emphasise vigilance among consumers, particularly parents and caregivers, in order to prevent exposure to potentially dangerous counterfeit infant nutrition products.
