Consumer group urges NAFDAC to mop contaminated Nestle baby food
The Centre for Consumer Concern, Awareness and Initiative (CCC-AI) has called on the National Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to mop up contaminated SMA infant foods in the market. In its statement issued on Friday, the CCC-AI said its concern follows the global recall for batches of contaminated ‘SMA Infant’ and ‘SMA Follow-On Formula’, by its producer–Nestlé UK & Ireland.
According to Nestle UK & Ireland, it discovered that some batches of the affected baby food potentially contain a toxin known as Cereulide. The CCC-AI, n the statement expressed the concern that the affected infant milk might have found their way into the Nigerian market through import or grey market channels.
“The possibility of the affected products’ presence in Nigeria is high. Nigeria is a consuming nation, with an appetite for foreign products, a porous market, and, it has issues of regulatory laxity. It is for this reason that we call for an urgent action,” the CCC-AI said. The group also said that Nestle Nigeria’s assurance that the global recall does not affect its line of locally produced infant foods is insufficient.
The group dismissed the notion that using boiled water to prepare the affected infant milk could neutralize the toxins. “Boiling or “proper preparation” does NOT neutralize this toxin. Cereulide is extremely heat-resistant. Infants who consume contaminated formula face a high and immediate risk of food poisoning, regardless of preparation method,” the group said.
The CCC-A advised retailers of baby foods who might have the affected products to withdraw them immediately and report the products to the relevant authorities. It also urged NAFDAC to visit the markers to ensure removal of the affected products. We urged NAFDAC to hold and test all UK-sourced dairy imports at the various ports of entries. The group also urged Nestle Nigeria to collaborate with relevant authorities to ensure that the affected infant milk already in the market are removed. “The safety of Nigerian infants is non-negotiable. Products deemed unsafe abroad must not become acceptable here. Nigerian babies deserve the same level of protection as babies anywhere in the world,” the group said.
