By Peter Omopo
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised an alarm over the resale of a suspected revalidated SMA Gold First Infant Milk Formula (900g) discovered in Kaduna State.
The agency warned healthcare providers, caregivers and the general public after the product allegedly caused gastrointestinal distress in a four-month-old infant who consumed it.
SMA Gold First Infant Milk is described as a nutritionally complete, whey-dominant formula designed to mirror the nutritional profile of breast milk for babies from birth to six months.
In a statement published on its website and cited on Sunday, NAFDAC said a physical examination of the product sample revealed clear evidence of date marking alteration.
According to the agency, the manufacturing and expiry dates on the top preprinted sticker were inconsistent with the originally printed dates underneath, confirming suspicion of revalidation and tampering.
NAFDAC stressed that the integrity of regulated products depends on strict compliance with safety standards, noting that any alteration or unauthorised extension of shelf life poses serious risks to public health.
The agency described date revalidation of infant formula as a critical violation, warning that altering date markings constitutes material misrepresentation of a product’s quality and safety status. It added that false dating misleads consumers about product freshness and nutritional value.
Highlighting the potential public health danger, NAFDAC warned that expired infant formula may harbour microbial contamination and degraded nutrients, posing significant risks to infants with developing immune systems.
The agency noted that infant formula is often the primary source of nutrition for babies under six months. It added that the reported case of diarrhoea in a four-month-old infant suggests possible product deterioration, which could lead to acute gastroenteritis, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, malnutrition, secondary infections and, in severe cases, death if contaminated with harmful bacteria.
Details of the affected product include: SMA Gold From Birth First Infant Milk, 900g; batch number 22939510A1206 07:35; manufactured on January 20, 2025; expiry date January 20, 2027; and NAFDAC registration number B1-2783. The stated manufacturer is Nestle.
NAFDAC said all zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to conduct surveillance and remove the revalidated product from circulation wherever found.
The agency advised distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals and caregivers to exercise vigilance within the supply chain to prevent the sale or use of the affected product. It urged consumers to obtain packaged food and medical products only from authorised and licensed suppliers and to carefully verify authenticity and physical condition before purchase.
NAFDAC also encouraged healthcare professionals and members of the public to report any suspected sale of substandard or falsified products to the nearest NAFDAC office or through its official reporting channels.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public health through continuous surveillance and enforcement to ensure the safety, quality and efficacy of regulated products in Nigeria.
