By Sopuruchukwu Nnaji
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has disowned a viral list circulating on social media that claims many products in Nigeria are fake, adulterated or substandard.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 8, 2026, by its Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, the agency said the list did not come from NAFDAC and should not be treated as an official alert or recall notice.
NAFDAC said as a responsible regulator, it does not make general statements about products without investigation, sampling and laboratory verification.
The agency explained that whenever a product or a particular batch is found to be unsafe, it gives specific details and takes regulatory action through its official channels.
It therefore advised members of the public to disregard the viral list completely and stop sharing it.
According to NAFDAC, there is a clear difference between an allegation on social media and an official regulatory finding. A product cannot be declared fake simply because its name or picture appears on a list online.
The agency said the disclaimer is necessary to protect Nigerians from fear and confusion and to prevent legitimate businesses from suffering reputational and commercial damage.
NAFDAC warned that if the unverified list is taken as its official position, it could affect manufacturers, distributors, retailers and the entire food and drugs market, distort buying behaviour and reduce confidence in properly regulated products.
It restated its commitment to protecting the health of Nigerians by ensuring regulated products meet safety, quality and efficacy standards and said it will continue to take enforcement action where investigations show regulatory intervention is needed.
The agency urged the public, health professionals, manufacturers and distributors to rely only on NAFDAC’s official channels for information on product alerts, recalls and withdrawals.
It thanked Nigerians for their vigilance in reporting suspected fake products, noting that such reports are useful but must be investigated and scientifically verified before conclusions are drawn.
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