NAFDAC Breaks Silence on Viral Food Ban Rumours

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has firmly debunked viral claims alleging a ban on several staple food products, including noodles, tinned tomatoes, and Maggi seasoning cubes.

This response follows a widely circulated audio message accusing the agency of sealing the Tummy Tummy noodles factory and banning common kitchen products used by millions of Nigerians daily.

NAFDAC Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, addressed the public in a press statement on Wednesday.

She emphasized that the agency never sealed the Anambra-based Tummy Tummy noodles facility and confirmed that no such ban exists on the listed products.

According to her, NAFDAC’s inspection team recently visited the factory, collected product samples, and immediately tested them at its Agulu Laboratory.

The test results showed no safety concerns, contrary to the alarming voice notes shared on social media platforms.

In addition to addressing the factory claim, Professor Adeyeye discredited the false report, which claimed that chemicals like acetyl methyl were found in the noodles.

She stated clearly that the agency conducted scientific tests and found no trace of such substances. The agency also denied any form of collaboration with the unknown speaker in the viral audio clip.

She further explained that the claim lacked scientific backing and was deliberately crafted to incite fear among the public.

Following earlier international concerns raised in 2023 about ethylene oxide in Asian-manufactured noodles, NAFDAC proactively launched a nationwide investigation into Nigerian-made instant noodles.

As part of that effort, the agency sampled products from across the country.

After comprehensive lab tests, the results showed that local noodles and their seasoning sachets contained no ethylene oxide or any hazardous residues.

Moreover, Professor Adeyeye confirmed that Nigerian noodles remain within globally accepted safety levels for mycotoxins and heavy metals.

She also addressed the claim about bans on tinned tomatoes and Maggi cubes, calling it completely false.

She reaffirmed that NAFDAC has not banned any of those products and continues to monitor their production quality closely.

While dismissing the viral audio as misleading and dangerous, NAFDAC urged Nigerians to stop spreading unverified claims.

Professor Adeyeye appealed to the public to verify all health-related information through the agency’s official channels.

She assured citizens that NAFDAC remains committed to protecting public health by enforcing stringent inspections, scientific analysis, and safety standards.

With this clarification, NAFDAC aims to restore public confidence and ensure that misinformation does not disrupt food security or consumer safety across the country

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