NAFDAC Denies Helping Companies Flout License Regulations

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has vehemently denied claims of aiding specific companies in flouting operational license regulations within Nigeria.

Responding to a media report on Thursday, December 2, NAFDAC’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, clarified that the allegations suggesting the agency had overlooked certain companies’ license expirations were unfounded.

Akintola noted the need for factual verification before making public statements regarding the agency’s operations and assured the public that NAFDAC had investigated the matter thoroughly.

The statement issued by Akintola stated, “Wishes to disabuse the minds of our clients and the public about an online report claiming that the Agency was ‘watching’ while the manufacturers of certain products ‘flaunt expired licenses.'”

According to NAFDAC’s investigation conducted by the Director of Food Registration and Regulatory Affairs, the four products mentioned in the report—Cway Drinking Water, Eva Premium Table Water, Peak Full Cream Instant Milk Powder, and Golden Penny Pasta Spaghetti—had valid registration statuses.

Akintola provided specifics regarding the validity periods of these products’ registrations: Cway Drinking Water (October 28, 2021 – October 27, 2026); Eva Premium Table Water (February 27, 2022 – February 26, 2025); Peak Full Cream Instant Milk Powder (June 5, 2020 – June 4, 2025); and Golden Penny Pasta Spaghetti (November 30, 2023 – November 29, 2028).

Addressing additional products mentioned in the report, Akintola clarified that Gino Magic Seasoning Tomato Mix was no longer in circulation due to the Federal Government’s importation prohibition on specific products. Furthermore, Cway Ultra Drinking Water was confirmed as no longer circulating.

The agency urged consumers to utilise the NAFDAC Registered Products Automated Database (NAPPAD) to verify products regulated by NAFDAC and their registration statuses. Additionally, stakeholders and the public were encouraged to contact the agency for further information on product validity, given the possibility of backlogs in approvals awaiting upload into the system.

The statement read: “Wishes to disabuse the minds of our clients and the public about an online report claiming that the Agency was ‘watching’ while the manufacturers of certain products ‘flaunt expired licenses.’

“Nothing could be further from the truth!

“On the directive of the Director General, Prof. Christianah Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director, Food Registration and Regulatory Affairs of the Agency investigated the erroneous claims and discovered that the registration status of all the four products mentioned in the mischievous write-up are valid.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Cway Drinking Water, Eva Premium Table Water, Peak Full Cream Instant Milk Powder, and Golden Penny Pasta Spaghetti all have valid registration. Cway Drinking Water (October 28, 2021 – October 27, 2026); Eva Premium Table Water (February 27, 2022 – February 26, 2025); Peak Full Cream Instant Milk Powder (June 5, 2020 – June 4, 2025); and Golden Penny Pasta Spaghetti (November 30, 2023 – November 29, 2028) are all validly registered products.

“The online publication also mentioned Gino Magic Seasoning Tomato Mix and Cway Ultra Drinking Water.

“While Gino Tomato Mix has since ceased to be in circulation due to the Federal Government pronouncement of prohibition of importation on certain products, Cway Ultra Drinking Water is no longer in circulation.

“The Agency urges the consuming public to avail themselves of the opportunity provided by the NAFDAC Registered Products Automated Database (NAPPAD) to check for products regulated by the Agency and their registration status.

“In addition, the public and stakeholders can always contact the Agency for further information on any product validity as the above search system is not the final verdict due to possible backlog of approvals yet to be uploaded.”