The agency said the affected products are already circulating in Nigeria, particularly in border communities neighbouring Chad.
Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye speaks on drug insecurity during an interview on Sunrise Daily on March 3, 2020.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued an alert following reports that Chad has banned Bledine Infant Cereals over contamination concerns.
The banned cereals are produced by Danone Group, a French multinational food and beverage company. The categories identified include Bledine Cereals Saveur biscuit, Bledine Saveur Biscuit & Lait, Bledine Miel & Lait, and Bledine Banane & Lait.
The listed expiry dates range from September 2026 to March 2027.
According to the report received by NAFDAC, Chadian authorities imposed the ban because the cereals failed to meet European safety standards for Aflatoxin B1, a carcinogenic toxin found in some agricultural products.
The agency said the affected products are already circulating in Nigeria, particularly in border communities neighbouring Chad.
The agency noted that assessments have shown the affected batches are present in Nigeria, raising renewed concerns about the safety of infant food sold in local markets.
NAFDAC explained that Aflatoxin B1 is a potent carcinogen and an immunotoxin capable of causing serious immune system disorders in infants and young children.
The agency has directed all zonal directors and state coordinators to begin market surveillance and remove any affected products found in their locations. This includes checks across retail shops, informal markets, and distribution channels that may be receiving goods through Nigeria’s border communities.
Healthcare professionals, distributors, retailers, and caregivers have also been urged to take extra precautions. NAFDAC advised them to verify the authenticity and physical condition of all infant food products and ensure they are purchased only from licensed and authorised suppliers.
The agency encouraged consumers and health workers to report any adverse reactions or suspected side effects linked to the affected products.
