From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confirmed that the brand of infant formula (baby food) with high sugar content allegedly being circulated across some “poor” countries, including Nigeria, by Nestle, a Swiss food company, is not registered in Nigeria. NAFDAC also stated that the product is not known to the Agency and is not in circulation in the country.
A recent news report in The Guardian, a UK-based newspaper, alleged that Nestle had engaged in double standards in the production of baby formula sold across the world. The report claimed that Nestle was adding sugar and honey to infant milk and cereal products sold in many “poorer” countries, including Africa, making the consuming children vulnerable to obesity. It also noted that such additions violate World Health Organization (WHO) regulations.
In response to the report, NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, issued a statement on Wednesday. She emphasized that the Agency exercises due diligence in registering infant and young children’s foods distributed and used in Nigeria, aligning with relevant Codex Alimentarius international food standards (Codex) and Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS).
Adeyeye stated: “This is applicable to all categories of infant and young children foods distributed by manufacturers, importers, and marketers operating within Nigeria. Adequate optimal nutrition during infancy and early childhood is essential to ensure the growth, health, and development of children to their full potential.”
She further explained that NAFDAC actively participates in international food standards-setting arenas to contribute to Nigeria’s positions during food standards development.
Regarding the mention of Nido follow-up milk formula in the publication, NAFDAC clarified that the product is not registered in Nigeria, is not known to the Agency, and is not in circulation in the country. The range of Nestle Cerelac infant cereals distributed in Nigeria is duly registered with NAFDAC, complying with the Nigerian Industrial Standard for Foods for Infants and Young Children – Processed Cereal Based Foods (NIS 256:2010) and the Codex Standard for Processed Cereal-based Foods for Infants and Young Children (CXS 74-1981).
Adeyeye noted that these national and international food standards for processed cereal-based foods for infants and young children permit the addition of sucrose, fructose, glucose, glucose syrup, or honey to products consisting of cereals, provided the amount of added carbohydrates from these sources does not exceed the stated levels of 1.8 g/100 kJ (7.5 g/100 kcal). Specifically, the maximum level of added fructose shall not exceed 0.9 g/100 kJ (3.75 g/100 kcal).
For cereals with an added high protein food, carbohydrates (if sucrose, fructose, glucose, glucose syrup, or honey) are added provided the amount of added carbohydrates from these sources shall not exceed 1.2 g/100 kJ (5 g/100 kcal). Specifically, the maximum level of added fructose shall not exceed 0.6 g/100 kJ (2.5 g/100 kcal).
Adeyeye emphasized that infant and young children’s foods are strictly regulated by NAFDAC, recognizing the vulnerability of the target population. Measures are in place to monitor and enforce compliance with the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and the national regulations- marketing of infant and young children food and other designated products (registration, sales, etc.) regulations.
She also stated that NAFDAC recently held a stakeholders’ engagement with members of the Association of Infant Food Manufacturers and Marketers in Nigeria (AIFMN), anchored by the Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (FSAN) Directorate, to further emphasize the importance and special place of infant and young child nutrition.
Adeyeye reassured Nigerians that NAFDAC is fully committed to its responsibilities of assuring the safety, wholesomeness, and quality of infant and young children’s foods offered for sale in Nigeria, complying with the relevant standards and regulations.