The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reassured Nigerians that all Indomie instant noodles and other noodle brands approved for sale in the country are manufactured locally and subjected to stringent regulatory standards before registration.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, said noodle products sold in Nigeria undergo a rigorous approval process that complies fully with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements.
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She added that the agency’s Ports Inspection Directorate (PID) has been placed on heightened alert to prevent the importation of any unapproved or implicated noodle products into the country.
The assurance follows the recent recall of Indomie Noodles Vegetable Flavour in France by the French food safety authority, Rappel Conso, due to the presence of undeclared allergens—milk and eggs—which could pose serious health risks to people with allergies or food intolerances.
Professor Adeyeye clarified that the recalled product is not registered with NAFDAC and is not approved for sale in Nigeria.
She further explained that noodles are listed on the Federal Government’s Import Prohibition List, making their importation into the country illegal.
“It is important to note that noodles are included on the Import Prohibition List of the Federal Government of Nigeria, meaning their importation is not allowed. This significantly reduces the likelihood of the affected product entering the Nigerian market,” the statement read.
Despite this restriction, NAFDAC said it has intensified nationwide surveillance as a precautionary measure. Zonal directors and state coordinators across the country have been directed to remain vigilant and promptly remove any such product if found in circulation.
The NAFDAC boss urged consumers to exercise caution, immediately discard the recalled product if encountered, and report any suspected sale or distribution to the nearest NAFDAC office or through the agency’s toll-free line, 0800-162-3322.
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She also encouraged the public to report any adverse reactions linked to the consumption of food products through NAFDAC’s E-reporting platforms available on the agency’s official website.