‘No ban on Maggi, Tummy Tummy noodles’ — NAFDAC warns against viral misinformation

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has dismissed claims that it shut down the Tummy Tummy noodles factory in Anambra State or banned tinned tomatoes and Maggi seasoning cubes in Nigeria.

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the director-general of the agency, made this clear in a statement.

Adeyeye described the circulating audio message making such claims as “false and misleading.”

“We urge the public to disregard the misleading audio and refrain from spreading unverified content,” she said.

“NAFDAC remains proactive and committed to its mandate of safeguarding public health by ensuring that only safe, high-quality, and properly regulated food and drug products are available to Nigerians.”

According to her, NAFDAC conducted an investigation and found no merit in the claims. “Contrary to the claims made in the recording, the Tummy Tummy noodles facility in Anambra State was not sealed,” she clarified.

She explained that a NAFDAC team had visited the factory unannounced, collected samples of four noodle types, and sent them to the Agulu Laboratory for testing. The results were satisfactory, and “no infractions [were] recorded.”

Adeyeye also referenced an earlier investigation in 2023 into concerns about ethylene oxide in instant noodles. She said that NAFDAC found no trace of the substance or its derivatives in any noodles or seasonings produced in Nigeria.

She added that the levels of mycotoxins and heavy metals in the products were within globally acceptable standards, confirming their safety.

The statement also pointed out that the person behind the misleading audio falsely claimed to be working with NAFDAC and alleged that “acetyl methyl” was being used as a preservative in the noodles.

“This was unfounded and misleading. NAFDAC found no evidence to support the claims and reiterates that the company was not in violation of any safety or regulatory standards,” the statement read.

Adeyeye stressed that “there is no ban on tinned tomatoes or Maggi seasoning cubes in Nigeria” and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting public health.

“NAFDAC remains proactive and committed to its mandate of safeguarding public health by ensuring that only safe, high-quality, and properly regulated food and drug products are available to Nigerians,” she concluded.