NAFDAC Disowns Viral Fake Products List, Cautions Against Public Panic

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control(NAFDAC) has disowned a viral social media list claiming that several products in Nigeria are fake, adulterated or substandard, warning that the claims could trigger public panic and damage legitimate businesses.

In a statement signed on Thursday by its Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, the agency clarified that it did not issue the list and urged Nigerians to stop circulating it as an official regulatory alert.

NAFDAC stressed that the document should not be mistaken for a product recall, safety warning or official communication from the agency.

It explained that declaring products fake or unsafe requires proper regulatory procedures, including investigation, sample collection and, where necessary, scientific and laboratory tests.

“The list currently circulating did not originate from NAFDAC and should not be presented or shared as an official publication of the Agency,” the statement said.

The agency noted that its official notices contain specific and verifiable information about affected products and the regulatory action taken. Such actions may include recalls, withdrawals, suspensions or other enforcement measures.

It cautioned consumers against concluding that a product is counterfeit or dangerous simply because its name or photograph appears on an unverified social media list.

“Members of the public are advised to disregard the list and refrain from further circulation of the content,” NAFDAC said, warning that misinformation could create unnecessary fear and confusion.

The agency also highlighted the potential consequences for legitimate manufacturers, distributors and retailers, who could suffer reputational damage and financial losses if consumers wrongly believe their products are unsafe.

According to NAFDAC, the circulation of unverified claims could disrupt commercial activities, distort consumer choices and weaken public confidence in products that meet regulatory standards.

Reaffirming its public health mandate, the agency said it remained committed to ensuring that regulated products meet established standards of safety, quality and efficacy.

It added that it would take enforcement action whenever investigations and scientific assessments justified regulatory intervention.

NAFDAC urged healthcare professionals, manufacturers, distributors and other stakeholders to rely on its official communication channels for information about product alerts, recalls, withdrawals, suspensions and other regulatory decisions.

The agency encouraged Nigerians to report suspected counterfeit, adulterated or substandard products, describing public reports as useful to regulatory surveillance.

However, it emphasised that allegations must undergo proper investigation and scientific verification before officials reach definitive conclusions.

It reiterated that the viral list was not an authentic NAFDAC publication and urged the public to avoid presenting it as one.