The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) hereby issues a critical warning to the Nigerian public, particularly parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers, regarding the circulation of counterfeit and unregistered Nestlé Cerelac Mixed Fruits and Wheat products in Lagos State.

This alert follows a formal complaint lodged by Nestlé Nigeria, the legitimate Marketing Authorisation Holder, after a consumer reported a suspicious product purchased at a retail outlet. Preliminary investigations and laboratory reviews have confirmed that these products are not only unregistered but are likely expired goods that have been illegally revalidated to deceive the public.

​To protect infants from the dangers of substandard nutrition, NAFDAC, in collaboration with Nestlé Nigeria, has identified specific discrepancies between the genuine and counterfeit products. Consumers are urged to inspect packaging for the following: Batch Code: The flagged counterfeit products bear the Batch Code 308002910.

​Date Formatting: The registered, genuine product uses a slash (/) to separate the day from the year (e.g., 10/2026). In contrast, the counterfeit version uses a hyphen (-) to separate the digits (e.g., 10-2026).

​Origin: The counterfeit units claim to be manufactured by Nestlé Spain, whereas the authentic product for the Nigerian market is distributed through Nestlé Nigeria’s authorized channels.

​Physical Characteristics: Complainants have noted that the counterfeit powder emits a pungent, chemical-like odor suggestive of fuel contamination.

​The Director-General of NAFDAC emphasizes that counterfeit infant formula poses a severe risk to the most vulnerable members of society. These falsified products often lack the essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins required for healthy neonatal development.

Consumption can lead to stunted growth, acute malnutrition, and developmental delays. Furthermore, the presence of contaminants, as suggested by the reported fuel-like odor, can result in severe toxicity, organ damage, or even death.

​Following the discovery, NAFDAC’s Post-Marketing Surveillance (PMS) Directorate conducted a raid at the Maxland Shopping Centre, Ago Palace, Okota, where the suspicious products were initially identified. All counterfeit stocks found at the premises were mopped up for destruction.

​NAFDAC has since directed all Zonal Directors and State Coordinators to heighten surveillance across the country to ensure these hazardous products are removed from every shelf.
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​NAFDAC strongly advises distributors, retailers, and consumers to exercise extreme caution. If you are in possession of a product matching the descriptions above, stop use immediately.