The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Sunday, February 22, alerted the public about a suspected revalidated batch of SMA Gold First Infant Milk Formula (900 grams) being sold in Kaduna State.
NAFDAC, on its official X social media account, stated that the suspected product was found with altered expiry dates and was linked to gastrointestinal distress in a four-month-old infant following consumption.
The agency noted that the infant’s diarrhoea indicates possible product deterioration, which may lead to acute gastroenteritis, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance.
Other risks include malnutrition due to compromised nutritional content, secondary infections in immunocompromised infants, and fatal outcomes in severe cases if contaminated with pathogenic bacteria.
A physical examination of the product sample under complaint revealed clear indicators of date marking alteration.
The manufacturing and expiry dates on the top preprinted sticker were inconsistent with the underlying originally printed version, confirming suspicions of revalidation and tampering.
NAFDAC emphasized that SMA Gold First Infant Milk Formula is a nutritionally complete, whey-dominant formula designed to mirror the nutritional profile of breast milk for babies from birth to six months.
The integrity of the product depends on strict compliance with regulatory requirements, and any alteration or extension of its shelf life without regulatory approval poses significant risks to public health.
The agency warned that revalidating infant-formula dates is a serious violation that risks adulteration, consumer deception, and public health harm.
Expired formulas may harbour harmful microbes and lose nutrients, endangering infants with vulnerable immune systems.
The revalidated SMA Gold formula is a Nestlé product with batch number 22939510A1206 07:35, showing a revalidated manufacture date of January 20, 2025, and an expiry date of January 20, 2027.
Investigation revealed that the original manufacturing date is May 28, 2023, with an original expiry date of May 28, 2025, and NAFDAC Reg. No. B1-2783.
NAFDAC remains committed to safeguarding public health and will continue surveillance activities to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of all regulated products circulating in Nigeria.
All zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and remove any revalidated product if found.
The agency advised distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the distribution, sale, and use of the product.
All packaged food and medical products should be obtained from authorised suppliers, and their authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.
Healthcare professionals and consumers are urged to report any suspicion of substandard or falsified regulated products to the nearest NAFDAC office, call 0800-162-3322, or email [email protected].
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