In response to recent allegations against Nestle, the global food giant, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a statement reassuring the Nigerian public.
The agency insists that the Nestle Cerelac infant cereals distributed in Nigeria are duly registered and compliant with safety standards.
The statement follows an investigative report suggesting that Nestle adds sugar and honey to infant milk and cereal products sold in many poorer countries, contrary to international guidelines aimed at preventing obesity and chronic diseases.
Prof Christianah Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC, emphasized the agency’s commitment to regulatory diligence in the registration of infant and young children foods. She clarified that the mentioned Nido follow-up milk formula is not registered in Nigeria, not known to the agency, and not in circulation in the country.
NAFDAC’s reassurance comes amidst concerns over the nutritional quality of infant and young children foods. Adeyeye highlighted that adequate nutrition during infancy and early childhood is essential for children’s growth, health, and development to their full potential.
The agency pointed out that both national and international food standards permit the addition of certain sugars to processed cereal-based foods for infants and young children, within specified limits. NAFDAC reiterated its commitment to enforcing compliance with these standards to ensure the safety and quality of infant and young children foods offered for sale in Nigeria.
Furthermore, NAFDAC disclosed that it recently held a stakeholders’ engagement with members of the Association of Infant Food Manufacturers and Marketers in Nigeria to underscore the importance of infant and young child nutrition.
