The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has disowned a viral social media list identifying products allegedly fake, adulterated or substandard in the Nigerian market, warning that the unverified information could mislead consumers and damage legitimate businesses.

The agency said the list did not originate from it and should not be treated as an official regulatory alert, recall notice or safety communication.

NAFDAC, in a statement signed by its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said products were not declared fake, adulterated or unsafe without due regulatory processes, including investigation, sampling and, where necessary, scientific and laboratory verification.

It explained that official NAFDAC alerts were specific, verifiable and issued through established communication channels, with details of the affected products and the appropriate regulatory actions.

The agency, therefore, urged members of the public to disregard the circulating list and refrain from sharing or amplifying the unverified claims.

It warned that misinformation of this nature could create unnecessary public concern and undermine confidence in products without any established evidence of regulatory violations.

According to NAFDAC, the circulation of unverified product names and photographs could also unfairly damage the reputation and business interests of legitimate manufacturers, distributors and retailers.

The agency stressed that the appearance of a product name or photograph on a social media list did not, in itself, constitute an official finding that the product was fake, adulterated or unsafe for consumption or use.

It advised consumers to distinguish between information circulated on social media and verified regulatory notices issued by the agency, particularly when making decisions about products intended for consumption or other personal use.

NAFDAC said its public alerts served as a reference resource for consumers, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders to identify products requiring regulatory attention and take appropriate precautions against potential harm.

It explained that the alerts formed part of its regulatory communication efforts to inform the public about products that had attracted official attention and required specific actions to protect consumers.

The agency added that, where necessary, it issued public alerts, conducted market surveillance and removed affected products from circulation for appropriate regulatory action, including destruction.

It maintained that enforcement measures would be taken whenever investigations and scientific assessments established that regulatory intervention was necessary.

NAFDAC’s clarification comes amid the rapid circulation of information on social media, where product photographs and allegations of counterfeiting or adulteration can spread widely before their authenticity is established.

The agency’s warning highlights the importance of verifying such claims through official sources before sharing them, particularly where allegations could influence consumer choices or affect the commercial interests of businesses.

While reaffirming its commitment to protecting public health, NAFDAC urged Nigerians, healthcare professionals, traders, distributors and other stakeholders to rely on its official communication channels for accurate information on product alerts, recalls, withdrawals, suspensions and other regulatory actions.

It said the public should consult the agency’s verified notices rather than rely on unsubstantiated lists circulating online when seeking information about the safety or regulatory status of products in the Nigerian market.

The agency also encouraged members of the public to use its designated contact channels to make enquiries or report complaints relating to products under its regulatory oversight.

For enquiries, members of the public can call 0700-1-NAFDAC (0700-1-623322), while complaints can be lodged through 0800-1-NAFDAC (0800-1-623322) or by email at sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.

NAFDAC reiterated that regulatory action against products would be based on established investigative and scientific procedures, rather than unverified claims circulating on social media.