Nestlé Nigeria Plc has reassured consumers that infant formula products sold within the country are safe and not affected by the precautionary global recall announced in several other markets.
The clarification followed Nestlé’s recent decision to recall specific batches of infant formula brands, including SMA, NAN, BEBA and Alfamino, over the potential presence of cereulide, a toxin associated with foodborne illnesses such as nausea and vomiting.
In a statement issued on Friday, Nestlé Nigeria said the recall applies only to certain batches distributed outside Nigeria and does not affect products officially sold in the country.
“Infant formula sold by Nestlé Nigeria is not part of the voluntary and precautionary recall of specific batches announced in some countries,” the company stated.
According to the company, all infant formula products available in Nigeria are duly registered with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and meet all regulatory and safety requirements. Products listed for the Nigerian market include SMA Gold 1, 2 and 3, as well as NAN Optipro 1, 2 and 3.
Nestlé explained that the global recall, announced on January 5, was carried out purely as a precautionary measure, adding that no confirmed cases of illness have been linked to the affected products.
“The safety and well-being of babies is our absolute priority,” the company said, noting that the action was taken in line with its strict quality and safety protocols.
Available information indicates that the recall has expanded to more than 50 countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and Oceania, involving products manufactured in specific facilities outside Nigeria.
Despite the global recall, checks in some Nigerian supermarkets showed that Nestlé infant formula products remain on sale, with store operators reportedly unaware of the international development.
Reacting to the situation, a Nigerian consultant paediatrician and child health advocate, Ayodele Renner, cautioned that toxins such as cereulide could pose serious health risks to infants, particularly through dehydration caused by vomiting. He advised parents to verify NAFDAC registration numbers, check manufacturing locations and confirm batch details before purchase.
He also called for clear and timely communication from regulatory authorities to address public concern and prevent misinformation.
Nestlé Nigeria reiterated that products officially distributed in the country are safe for consumption, urging parents and caregivers to rely on verified information and regulatory guidance.