The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a statement to calm public concern over reports that an Indomie noodle product was recalled abroad, emphasising that the variant in question is not produced, registered, imported, distributed, or sold in Nigeria.
The agency’s statement was issued on Sunday, 21st, December and signed by Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, amid growing online chatter after foreign media flagged the recall of Indomie Noodles, Vegetable Flavour by the French food safety authority, Rappel Conso. The recall followed laboratory findings that the product contained undeclared allergens specifically milk and eggs which may pose health risks to consumers with allergies or intolerances.
“The Indomie Noodles Vegetable Flavour in question is not registered with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for sale in Nigeria,” the statement read in part.
“It is important to note that noodles are listed on the Import Prohibition List of the Federal Government of Nigeria, meaning their importation into the country is not allowed. This significantly reduces the likelihood of the affected product entering the Nigerian market,” the statement continues.
The regulator explained that it has directed surveillance activities across all zones and states, instructing zonal directors and state coordinators to “mop up the product if found within their jurisdictions.” It also noted that the Ports Inspection Directorate is on heightened alert to guard against any attempted importation.
Therefore, NAFDAC urged members of the public, distributors, and retailers to exercise caution and to avoid the distribution, sale, or consumption of the recalled foreign product if encountered.
“Consumers are strongly advised to exercise caution, discard the recalled product if found, and report any suspicion of its sale or distribution to the nearest NAFDAC office or via the agency’s toll-free 0800-162-3322 line,” the statement said. “Adverse events or side effects related to its consumption should be reported via NAFDAC’s e-reporting platforms available on www.nafdac.gov.ng. NAFDAC wishes to reassure the public that the agency remains proactive and alive to its responsibilities of safeguarding the health of the nation.”
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Industry Response and Public Reaction
Reacting to the alert, Indomie Nigeria reiterated that it “does not produce, import, distribute or sell any noodle variant known as Vegetable Flavour”, describing any claims linking the company to the recalled product as misleading. The company added that all Indomie noodles manufactured locally by Dufil Prima Foods comply fully with regulatory standards and are safe for consumption.
Consumers on social media also weighed in. Some questioned how the recalled variant could reach Nigerian shelves given the long-standing ban on noodle importation, while others expressed concerns about food safety and the vulnerability of allergy-sensitive individuals. One X user, Oracle Oshare, remarked:
“I’ve honestly never come across any Indomie product with Arabic inscriptions. Plus, Indomie doesn’t even have a vegetable flavour, so that alone makes it clear this isn’t from Indomie Nigeria.”
However, a few commenters voiced skepticism about the effectiveness of enforcement, with some claiming the product might already be circulating illicitly in markets.
Nigeria has long maintained a ban on the importation of noodles, including Indomie, with all products on the market required to be locally manufactured and registered with NAFDAC before sale. This regulatory framework is intended to protect consumers and ensure quality standards are upheld.
