Nido infant milk formula, which is said to contain sugar or honey, is not registered or distributed in Nigeria, according to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
NAFDAC made it clear in a statement released by Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency’s director general, that it had not registered the purported product and was unaware of its distribution within the nation.
Adeyeye responded to allegations made by an internet site that a well-known consumer goods company had violated global recommendations meant to avoid obesity and chronic illnesses by adding sugar and honey to baby milk and cereal items.
The study, which was published on April 17, 2024, was widely read. Adeyeye emphasized that the investigation revealed testing on samples of baby food items distributed in Latin America, Africa, and Asia revealed the addition of sugar and honey—sucrose—in samples of Nido and Cerelac.
“The Management of NAFDAC would like to take this opportunity to reassure the public that the Agency registers foods used and distributed to infants and young children in Nigeria with due regulatory diligence.”
She underlined NAFDAC’s dedication to regulatory diligence in the registration and oversight of foods for infants and young children, abiding by global norms including Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) and Codex Alimentarius.
“Regarding the mention of Nido follow-up milk formula in the publication, NAFDAC wishes to state that the product is not registered in Nigeria, is not known to the Agency, and is not in circulation in Nigeria,” she went on to say.
Adeyeye gave the public the assurance that Nestle Cerelac baby cereals, which are sold in Nigeria, are properly registered with NAFDAC and adhere to all safety, quality, and labeling regulations.
Adeyeye states that to ensure compliance with safety, quality, and labeling standards, processed cereal-based foods (NIS 256:2010) and the Codex Standard for Processed Cereal-based Foods for Infants and Young Children (CXS 74-1981, adopted in 1981 and subsequently revised in 2006, with amendments in 2017, 2019, and 2023) are followed in addition to pertinent NAFDAC regulations.
She said that to safeguard consumer health and fair trade practices, NAFDAC continues to be actively involved in the establishment of international food standards. Adequate nutrition during infancy and early childhood is crucial for children’s growth, health, and development.
To emphasize the importance of nutrition for infants and young children, the organization recently held a stakeholders’ engagement session with the Association of Infant Food Manufacturers and Marketers in Nigeria (AIFMN).
