The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has removed 7,210 products from circulation following nationwide post-market surveillance conducted between May and July 2026.
The agency also disclosed that its Post-Market Surveillance Directorate visited 6,233 facilities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory during the three-month period as part of efforts to detect and remove fake, falsified, substandard and non-compliant products from the market.
NAFDAC made this known in a statement issued in response to reports published by Saturday PUNCH on September 5, 2026, and subsequent social media discussions over suspected counterfeit and adulterated food products.
The agency said about 80 per cent of its post-market surveillance activities were directed at detecting and removing fake, falsified, substandard and non-compliant products from circulation.
“From May to July 2026, the PMS Directorate conducted routine nationwide surveillance across all 36 States and the FCT, visiting a total of 6,233 facilities and removing 7,210 products from circulation.”
A breakdown of the figures showed that the Drugs and Herbals category recorded the highest number of facilities visited, with 2,084 inspections.
Food and Water followed with 1,808 facilities, Medical Devices 1,077, Cosmetics 821, Vaccines and Biologics 268, and Chemicals 175.
In terms of products removed from circulation, Food and Water recorded the highest figure with 3,633 products, followed by Drugs and Herbals with 2,459.
Cosmetics accounted for 911 products removed, while Medical Devices recorded 183, Chemicals 21 and Vaccines and Biologics three.
The latest figures came amid public concerns over reports of suspected counterfeit and adulterated food products, including yoghurt, palm oil, apples, soy sauce, olive oil, chicken, fish, water and beverages.
NAFDAC, however, cautioned that allegations circulating on social media should not automatically be treated as proof that a product is counterfeit, adulterated or unsafe.
The agency said some of the claims referenced in the Saturday PUNCH report had not been independently verified.
“Social media allegations do not, by themselves, establish that a product is counterfeit, adulterated, or unsafe.”
It added that products found to have violated regulatory requirements would be subjected to appropriate enforcement measures, including public safety communications, seizure, recall and disposal, as well as action against responsible persons.
NAFDAC clarifies food safety mandate
The agency also clarified that its regulatory mandate under the NAFDAC Act covers processed and packaged food products and does not extend to every food item in circulation.
According to NAFDAC, unbranded and unpackaged products such as palm oil and fufu sold in open markets fall outside its direct regulatory oversight, with sub-national authorities bearing primary responsibility for such products.
It said imported fresh produce, including apples, grapes and oranges, falls under the quarantine mandate of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service.
NAFDAC said it continued to engage relevant sister agencies and called for stronger inter-agency coordination in implementing the National Policy on Food Safety and Quality and its Implementation Plan 2023.
The agency also said it had been tackling the use of calcium carbide for artificial fruit ripening since 2018 through import and clearance permit controls, stakeholder engagement and public enlightenment.
It expressed concern over the adulteration of palm oil with azo dyes and hazardous chemicals, as well as reports of bleach being used in fufu production, describing such practices as dangerous to public health.
Sachet alcohol ban enforcement ongoing
On the ban on alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml, NAFDAC said enforcement remained ongoing.
The ban, announced in January 2026, has been reinforced through joint engagements with the National Orientation Agency and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
The agency said manufacturers had begun dismantling or reconfiguring affected production lines.
NAFDAC also recalled that in May 2026, it confirmed, following laboratory investigations, that NAFDAC-registered bread products were safe for human consumption.
