NAFDAC stated that the product breaches the Cosmetic Products Regulation due to its content of Butylphenyl Methylpropional (BMHCA), also known as Lilial.

This chemical is linked to serious health risks, including potential reproductive harm and adverse effects on unborn children. It is also associated with skin sensitization and allergic reactions.

In a statement released on Monday, NAFDAC explained that BMHCA is banned in cosmetic products across the EU due to these health risks.

The agency highlighted that similar Dove products containing BMHCA have been recalled or banned in other countries.

NAFDAC noted that these soaps are not listed in its database and emphasized that importation, distribution, and sale of these products are restricted in Nigeria.

Consumers in possession of the recalled soap are advised to cease use and report their stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

The agency urged healthcare professionals and the public to report any adverse events related to regulated products through NAFDAC’s reporting channels, including email and their online platforms.

The State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, gave the advice during a state multi-agency news briefing and update on cholera outbreak on Monday in Lagos.

The commissioner said that history taken from no fewer than 500 suspected cholera cases in the state showed that some of the patients indicated consuming some street beverages.

He, however, said that most patients talked about other forms of access to drinks, including sachet water, bottled water, carbonated drinks, noting that street beverages were common in the state.

“It is what a lot of people consume on their way to and from work or after school. So, it’s not surprising that a few of our suspected cases referred to the consumption of a beverage.

“However, liquid beverages are produced in a batch. And once the batch is produced, it is distributed and consumed.

“So, when we go back to a particular location where they are manufacturing street beverages, we may not find anything at all because the batch that was contaminated has been completely distributed.

“My advice to the public is check the NAFDAC number of beverages bought on the street, if it’s not certified by NAFDAC, avoid it,” he warned

NAFDAC Director-General Mojisola Adeyeye, in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, emphasized that the agency began enforcing the ban on alcohol sold in sachets and in less than 200ml PET bottles on February 1, 2024, following a five-year moratorium.

“The moratorium, agreed upon in December 2018, involved the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN), the Association of Food Beverage & Tobacco Employers (AFBTE), the Ministry of Health, NAFDAC, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC),” the statement reads.

Despite recommendations from the House Committee on Food and Drug Administration to suspend the ban, NAFDAC is awaiting a directive from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

A meeting held on June 13, 2024, in the Speaker’s Office with NAFDAC’s Director-General and House Committee representatives discussed the ban.

The committee suggested suspending it, but Adeyeye stressed that further instructions from the Coordinating Minister are required. Discussions are set to continue after the House returns from recess in July.

Regarding the ban on codeine syrup, which was instituted on May 1, 2018, by former Health Minister Prof. Isaac Folorunsho Adewole, NAFDAC reaffirmed that the ban remains in effect.

Reports suggesting the ban has been lifted are false, and NAFDAC is dedicated to enforcing this prohibition to prevent misuse and ensure public safety

In a statement released Tuesday by the agency’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, NAFDAC warned that prolonged storage of cooked food can lead to contamination by disease-causing pathogens, potentially resulting in fatal foodborne illnesses.

During the 2024 World Food Safety Day, themed ‘Food Safety: Prepare for the Unexpected,’ Adeyeye emphasized the need for stakeholders in the food supply chain to foster a culture of food safety to mitigate hazards and risks.

She stressed the importance of food safety for both public health and economic development, urging everyone from producers to consumers to contribute to a safer food system.

Parts of the statement read: “She (NAFDAC FG) urged Nigerians to refrain from storing cooked food in the refrigerator for more than three days, warning that cooked food stored in the refrigerator for days is susceptible to contamination by disease-causing pathogens, key agents of foodborne diseases that can lead to death.”

“Let us all stay true to the statements ‘food safety is everyone’s business’ and ‘food safety is a shared responsibility’ as we mark this year’s World Food Safety Day.

“Working together, we will continue to strengthen our food safety system, ensuring its resilience, robustness and preparedness for the unexpected,” she said.

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 600 million – almost one in 10 people in the world – fall ill after eating contaminated food, and 420,000 die every year, resulting in the loss of 33 million healthy life years.

The Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, reiterated this commitment in a statement issued to the press on Tuesday in Abuja.

The statement indicated that the reaffirmation comes in response to a smear campaign against NAFDAC by fake drug manufacturers and sellers of substandard food and beverages.

Adeyeye emphasized that NAFDAC is intensifying efforts to ensure the safety of drugs and foods consumed by Nigerians, standing firm against any unfounded allegations.

Prof Adeyeye pointed to the recent exposure of a cartel involved in producing fake wines and soft drinks in Aba, Abia State, as evidence of the severity of the situation.

She clarified that NAFDAC’s actions during the yuletide season aimed to protect public health.

Highlighting the interception of counterfeit products in Eziukwu Market, Aba, as an example of NAFDAC’s commitment, she stressed that the agency would not be swayed by baseless accusations.

Adeyeye urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.

The Director-General disclosed that officers from various directorates have been empowered to apprehend those involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit drugs and substandard food items.

She reiterated NAFDAC’s determination to safeguard the health of Nigerians and called on citizens to provide valuable information on the activities of counterfeiters.

In a public alert (No. 037/2023) released on Monday in Abuja, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, highlighted the affected WHO regions as America, Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia, and Western Pacific.

The agency also reported the detection of the contaminated oral liquid dosage forms (syrup and suspension) in the Maldives and Pakistan. Additionally, some of the implicated products were found in Belize, Fiji, and Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

The listed syrups are identified as ALERGO Syrup, EMIDONE Suspension, MUCORID Syrup, ULCOFIN Suspension, and ZINCELL Syrup, with a total of 23 batches affected. The manufacturer named is PHARMIX LABORATORIES (PVT.) LTD (Pakistan).

As a precautionary measure, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has instructed PHARMIX LABORATORIES to halt the production of all oral liquid dosage medicines.

A Recall Alert has been issued for the five different oral dosage forms manufactured by the company.

Prof Adeyeye emphasized the toxicity of Diethylene Glycol (DEG) and Ethylene Glycol (EG) to humans when consumed, potentially leading to fatal consequences.

Toxic effects include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, inability to pass urine, headache, altered mental state, and acute kidney injury, which may result in death.

Manufacturers of liquid dosage forms, particularly syrups containing excipients such as glycol, sorbitol, and/or glycerin/glycerol, are cautioned against the risk of contamination with EG/DEG

In the statement released, the agency said following an intelligent tip off, NAFDAC carried out several weeks of intelligence gathering and collation of data on the activities of this merchants of death. The agency stated that in collaboration with other security agencies, NAFDAC carried out a sting operation in the market to burst the criminal operations taking place there. It is worthy of note that this dastard activity has been going on for a long time and they operate like a cartel threatening anyone who dares challenge them.

‘’Some of the nefarious activities of the counterfeiters included the manufacturing of all kinds of adulterated products especially different kinds of wine from a wide variety of brands ranging from Seaman Schnapps, Henessy, Four Cousins, Carlo Rossi, Jenney, Chelsea London Dry Gin, Schnapp Dry Gin, McDowells, Black Labels, Gordons, Martell, Campari, Smirnoff ice, Eva Non-Alcoholic Drink, Evra Non-Alcoholic Drink, Cartel, and others. There is also date revalidation for expired products like Peak milk, Powdered milk, Ketchups, Yoghurt, Coca Cola products, packaging of fake and substandard products, which are later sold to unsuspecting members of the public for consumption. Because of the extensive operation, the agency raided over 240 shops- turned factories where the harmful products were being produced and marketed.”

The statement added that the shops-turned factories are ‘’very filthy, using water from very unhygienic sources, harmful chemicals, saccharin, colouring, dirty recycled bottles, and cloned packaging materials of other brands.”.

‘’The adulteration of alcoholic beverages by criminal elements in the country is done by mixing of cheaper sources of sugar and starch besides grapes or fruit, among other harmful chemicals unsuitable for human consumption. Over 1500 cartons of the fake and substandard products were destroyed during the operation while 300 hundred cartons were evacuated to NAFDAC warehouse. The street value of the confiscated and destroyed fake products is estimated at over seven hundred and fifty million naira only. (N750,000,000).”

The statement added that ten people were arrested on arrival at the scene of the crime and will be charged to court after thorough investigation.

The anti-drug agency further stated that due to the sheer magnitude of illegality going on in the section of the market, NAFDAC had to shut the entire market down for thorough regulatory activity until an agreement was reached with all stakeholders in the market and undertaken signed that the market will never be used for such nefarious activities anymore.

‘’Drinking adulterated alcohol can cause nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, drowsiness, and dizziness, blue tinged or pale skin, irregular or slow breathing, low body temperature, unconsciousness or passing out. It can also lead to kidney and liver failure or even DEATH. Methanol, a substance which can be used in fake vodka, may cause permanent blindness. WHO in their Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health estimated that more than three million people died all over the world as a result of alcohol poisoning. Furthermore, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) ascertained that one of every 10 cancer cases in Nigeria can be traced to Alcohol and 4.7 percent of overall cancer cases in Nigeria in 2019 can be attributed to consumption of adulterated alcohol.

While urging Nigerians to remain vigilant, the agency is also tasking consumers to always scrutinize branded drinks to distinguish them from counterfeits before consuming them. NAFDAC wishes to advice that the members of the public should shine their eyes during this yuletide season and think about the “4 Ps” before buying of alcohol:

Place: Only buy only NAFDAC registered drinks from reputable and licenced retailers, bars and supermarkets.

Price: If the product is being sold well below its normal price, or doesn’t seem to include normal taxes on liquors, then it is probably fake.

Packaging: Check for poor quality packaging, spelling mistakes and unusually shaped bottles. Look for the contact information and address of the manufacturer. If it is missing, the alcohol is fake.  Inspect the seal on the bottle. If the seal is broken or damaged, then the contents might have been interfered with and are not safe to drink. Check for fake bar codes. If you have an app on your mobile that scans bar codes, scan it and see if it’s listed as the correct product.

Product: Beware of bad smells! If it smells like paint stripper or nail polish remover, then it probably is!

NAFDAC will continue to ensure that the level of counterfeit products nationwide is brought to the nearest minimum so that our people will continue to consume only healthy and safe products. We wish to reiterate that in line with our mandate to rid the county of fake and substandard products, we shall be on the trail of these evil counterfeiters, and bring them to book. The public is enjoined to report any suspicious activity of illegal producers of adulterated products or similar activities to the nearest NAFDAC office nationwide.”

This counsel was shared by Mrs. Josephine Dayilim, the North West Director of NAFDAC, during a one-day workshop on the ban on promoting breast milk substitutes in Kaduna.

The workshop, organized by NAFDAC in collaboration with the Carelink Resource Foundation, highlighted the importance of educating nursing mothers about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding.

Dayilim stressed the need to sensitize stakeholders about the potential dangers associated with using breast milk substitutes for infants.

She mentioned that there exists a code specifically prohibiting the inappropriate marketing and advertising of breast milk substitutes.

This code also extends to the promotion of such products. Dayilim called on stakeholders to adhere to these guidelines and encouraged them to spread awareness about exclusive breastfeeding within their communities.

Dayilim expressed her appreciation for the efforts of the workshop’s participants in raising public awareness about the significance of embracing exclusive breastfeeding.

Among the attendees were representatives from various organizations, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers, traditional leaders, and health workers, who committed to adhering to the code and implementing it within their respective spheres.

Prof. Moji Christianah Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC, made this startling revelation during a media sensitization workshop held in Bauchi, focusing on the dangers of drug hawking and the unsafe practice of ripening fruits with Calcium Carbide.

The event, organized by NAFDAC’s North-East Zone, aimed to raise awareness about the menace of drug hawking and its detrimental impact on public health.

Adeyeye emphasized that this illicit trade represents a severe threat to national security. She pointed out that the majority of drugs sold through this illicit network fail to meet the necessary quality, safety, and efficacy standards set for regulated medicines.

The Director-General’s address underscored NAFDAC’s unwavering commitment to eliminating this illicit trade. She sternly warned that NAFDAC would take decisive action against drug hawkers, including prosecution and imprisonment.

Adeyeye disclosed that NAFDAC’s Enforcement Officers were currently executing a synchronized nationwide operation to combat the issue.

Adeyeye’s representative, Dr. Leonard Omokpariola, Director of Chemical Evaluation and Research at NAFDAC, conveyed that concerned citizens had urged the agency to take stringent regulatory measures to counter the dangerous proliferation of drug hawkers and vendors using harmful substances such as Calcium Carbide to ripen fruits.

The Director-General highlighted the gravity of two hazardous practices: the circulation of counterfeit drugs and the use of chemicals to artificially ripen fruits.

She lamented that these practices, driven by unscrupulous individuals, pose lethal threats to unsuspecting citizens.

NAFDAC’s clarion call seeks the collaboration and support of law enforcement agencies, journalists, and all well-meaning Nigerians to join forces in eliminating this harmful and disgraceful phenomenon from the nation.

The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof Christianah Adeyeye who briefed journalists in Lagos said ethylene oxide or its derivative was not found in any of the instant noodles produced in Nigeria and their seasonings.

“The level of Mycotoxin and the heavy metals were within the internationally acceptable limit. Therefore, the noodles made in Nigeria are very safe to eat.”

NAFDAC investigation was occasioned by the recalls of Indomie Instant Noodles ‘Special Chicken Flavour’ by the Ministries of Health in Malaysia and Taiwan on account of the alleged presence of ethylene oxide, a compound associated with an increased risk of cancer.

Adeyeye said:  “Samples of chicken flavoured instant noodles of various brands and the seasonings were drawn from the production facilities across the country.

“This was to ensure that the investigation was robust, covering other instant noodles brands manufactured in Nigeria, besides Indomie, the implicated brand.

“The Post Marketing Surveillance Division also visited markets/retail outlets in the major cities of Lagos, Abuja, and Kano and drew samples of instant noodles for laboratory analysis.

“The market visits served as surveillance for the presence of the Taiwan and Malaysian special chicken noodles in the Nigerian market.

The samples drawn from production facilities and trade were properly packaged and delivered in good condition to our Central Laboratory, Oshodi, Lagos, where analytical activities commenced immediately in accordance with international standards and methods of analysis.”

Adeyeye said NAFDAC deployed  the technique using Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry detector and a total of  114 samples of instant noodles and the seasonings were received.

She explained that the  compound of interest, ethylene oxide, is a colourless, odourless gas that is used to sterilise medical devices and has been implicated as a cancer-causing chemical.

She said:  “We did not only analyze for ethylene oxide and its derivative 2-chloroethanol in the noodles and seasonings; we also analyzed for other contaminants such as mycotoxins and heavy metals in the samples.”

On the delay in the analytical activities in the laboratory’ she said it was not deliberate as they had to place orders for the procurement and supply of certified reference materials (standards), reagents and chemicals from overseas.