The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has alerted Nigerians to the recall of a foreign variant of Indomie instant noodles, Vegetable Flavour, over the presence of undeclared allergens.
In a public alert issued on Friday and published on its official website, NAFDAC said the recall followed a notice by French food safety authorities concerning the product.
The agency explained that the affected noodles were recalled due to the presence of allergens not stated on the product label, which could pose serious health risks to consumers with allergies or intolerances.
“The French authority (Rappel Conso of France) has issued a notice regarding the recall of the Indomie brand noodles, Vegetable Flavour.”
NAFDAC noted that the undeclared allergens include milk and eggs, warning that consumption could be dangerous for vulnerable individuals.
Despite stating that the risk of the recalled product entering the Nigerian market is low, the agency stressed the need for increased vigilance.
It was stated that, “although the official risk of these products entering Nigeria is low due to the Federal Government’s ban on noodle importation, there remains a need for heightened vigilance to prevent possible illicit entry or circulation of the implicated Indomie brand.”
The agency disclosed that monitoring efforts had been intensified to prevent the product from finding its way into the country.
“NAFDAC has commenced vigilance actions to guard against possible entry of the brand into the country, as acquisition of the product through online purchase or international travel cannot be excluded.”
NAFDAC advised stakeholders across the food supply chain to be alert and avoid the distribution or sale of the recalled product.
It added that “distributors, retailers and consumers are hereby advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the distribution, sale and consumption of the recalled foreign brand of Indomie noodles.”
The agency also warned consumers who may already be in possession of the product to refrain from consuming it and urged members of the public to report any suspected sale or circulation.
Meanwhile, PUNCH Online had earlier reported that NAFDAC raised the alarm over the circulation of substandard and unregistered edible oils in Nigeria.
According to the agency, the affected products include FINO, PUR, OKI, SUPER DELICIEX and LA JONIC, noting that the oils, whose sources, production processes and safety standards remain unknown, are allegedly smuggled into the country and sold openly under various brand names in major markets across several states.