NAFDAC Disowns Viral Fake Products List

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has firmly distanced itself from a viral social media list claiming certain products in the Nigerian market are fake, adulterated, or substandard.

In a statement signed by its Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, the Agency clarified that the list did not originate from NAFDAC and should not be regarded as an official regulatory alert, recall notice, or safety communication.

“NAFDAC does not make sweeping declarations about the safety or authenticity of products without due regulatory processes, including investigation, sampling, and scientific verification,” the statement emphasised.

The Agency warned that such misinformation could cause unnecessary panic among consumers, damage the reputation of legitimate businesses, and disrupt the wider pharmaceutical, food, and consumer-products market.

NAFDAC stressed that its official communications are always specific, verifiable, and disseminated through established channels. Nigerians were therefore urged to disregard the viral list entirely and avoid sharing or amplifying unverified information.

The Agency also stressed the need to distinguish between social media allegations and official regulatory findings. “A product cannot responsibly be declared fake or unsafe merely because its name or photograph appears on a social-media list,” it noted.

While appreciating the vigilance of Nigerians in reporting suspected counterfeit or substandard products, NAFDAC reiterated that such reports must undergo proper investigation and scientific assessment before conclusions are drawn.

The Agency reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public health by ensuring that regulated products meet established standards of safety, quality, and efficacy. It assured stakeholders that appropriate enforcement actions will always be taken when investigations confirm regulatory violations.