NAFDAC Disowns Viral ‘Fake Products’ List, Warns Nigerians Against Panic and Misinformation

By Taibat Ummi Yakubu

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has dismissed a viral list circulating on social media that claims to identify fake, adulterated and substandard products in Nigeria, warning Nigerians not to treat it as an official publication.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the agency clarified that the controversial list did not originate from NAFDAC and should not be regarded as an official product alert, recall notice or safety advisory.

NAFDAC said it was concerned by the growing circulation of the information online and stressed that regulatory decisions on product safety are never based on speculation or unverified claims.

According to the agency, products can only be classified as fake, adulterated, falsified or unsafe after thorough investigations, sampling and scientific laboratory testing have been conducted in line with established regulatory procedures.

The agency explained that whenever a product or a specific batch is found to pose a risk to public health, it communicates the findings through official channels and provides detailed information about the affected products and the regulatory measures being taken.

NAFDAC warned that Nigerians should understand the difference between allegations shared on social media and verified regulatory findings backed by scientific evidence.

The agency noted that a product cannot be declared fake or unsafe simply because its name or photograph appears on a list circulating online.

It urged consumers to verify all product-related claims through official sources before accepting or sharing them, stressing that spreading unverified information could create unnecessary panic among the public.

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Beyond causing fear, NAFDAC said false claims could have serious economic consequences for legitimate manufacturers, distributors, retailers and businesses whose products may be wrongly associated with safety concerns.

The agency warned that misinformation could damage the reputation of genuine brands, disrupt normal business operations and weaken consumer confidence in properly regulated products.

According to NAFDAC, such misinformation has the potential to affect the wider pharmaceutical, food and consumer goods sectors, creating avoidable challenges for both businesses and consumers.

Reaffirming its commitment to public safety, the agency said it would continue to take enforcement actions whenever investigations and scientific assessments reveal products that require regulatory intervention.

It added that reports from members of the public on suspected counterfeit or substandard products remain important sources of intelligence, but such reports must undergo proper verification before any conclusions are reached.

NAFDAC further stated that its public alerts remain the official source of information on product recalls, withdrawals, suspensions and other regulatory actions.

The agency assured Nigerians that it remains committed to protecting public health through continuous surveillance, enforcement activities and transparent communication.

For emphasis, NAFDAC reiterated that the viral list being circulated online is not its publication and urged members of the public to stop sharing it as an official regulatory document.

The agency advised consumers, healthcare professionals and industry stakeholders to rely solely on verified information released through its official communication channels to avoid confusion and misinformation.