NAFDAC: Disowns Viral Fake Product List Circulating in Nigeria

• NAFDAC has officially disowned a viral social media list claiming to identify over 100 fake products in Nigeria.
• The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control confirmed the list did not originate from them and urged the public to disregard it.
• NAFDAC spokesperson Olusayo Akintola stated the agency does not declare products counterfeit without thorough investigation and scientific verification.
• Official NAFDAC alerts typically specify products and batch numbers, unlike the broad categories found in the fake list.
• Businesses and consumers are advised to rely exclusively on NAFDAC's official website or X account for accurate product warnings to avoid misinformation and business disruption.

For compliance officers and legal counsel for businesses operating in Nigeria, it is paramount to rely exclusively on official NAFDAC communications for product alerts and recalls.

A widely circulated list on social media, purporting to identify over 100 fake or counterfeit products, has been officially disowned by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The list, which gained traction among social media users, claimed to be an official Nigeria counterfeit products warning from the regulatory body, prompting significant public concern. It encompassed a broad range of items, including various brands of milk, soft drinks, rice, as well as medicines, cosmetics, and personal care products. Additionally, the fake food list Nigeria social media posts included general categories such as palm oil, honey, fish, meat, and poultry.

One particular post, dated October 7, explicitly urged consumers to scrutinize the list carefully when purchasing related goods, attributing its release directly to NAFDAC. This viral content emerged amidst heightened public anxiety in late 2026 regarding the prevalence of suspected fake and adulterated food and other consumer goods across Nigeria. However, NAFDAC swiftly moved to clarify that the list did not originate from the agency and should be completely disregarded by the public.

NAFDAC spokesperson Olusayo Akintola unequivocally stated on October 8 that the agency did not publish the circulating list. Akintola emphasized that the viral content should not be considered an official alert, recall, or safety warning from the regulatory body. He further clarified, "For the avoidance of doubt: the viral list did not emanate from NAFDAC. Members of the public are urged to disregard it in its entirety and not circulate it as an official NAFDAC publication."

An examination of NAFDAC's official website revealed no alert corresponding to the viral list; the most recent official alert available was issued in August 2026. The agency highlighted that its legitimate recall alerts typically identify specific products and batch numbers, a characteristic notably absent from the viral list, which instead broadly labeled entire food categories as fake. NAFDAC also utilized its official X account to issue a statement, urging consumers to report any suspected products through established official channels. The agency underscored that it adheres to a rigorous process of investigation and scientific verification before officially declaring any product as counterfeit. This stands in contrast to the unverified claims made in the social media list. In September, NAFDAC had reported the removal of 7,210 fake, substandard, and non-compliant products during nationwide inspections conducted between May and July, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to consumer safety.

The proliferation of unverified information, such as this fake food list Nigeria social media incident, carries significant risks for both consumers and businesses. False warnings can lead to undue alarm among the public, potentially causing consumers to avoid purchasing genuine products and disrupting legitimate business operations. For compliance officers and legal counsel for businesses operating in Nigeria, it is paramount to rely exclusively on official NAFDAC communications for product alerts and recalls.

To mitigate these risks, it is essential for all stakeholders to verify any product claims or warnings directly through NAFDAC's official website or its verified X account. This practice ensures that actions are based on accurate, scientifically verified information from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, rather than misinformation. The agency's commitment to thorough investigation before issuing a NAFDAC official alert protects both public health and the integrity of the market, underscoring the importance of trusting only official sources for Nigeria counterfeit products warning information.

Compliance officers and legal counsel for businesses operating in Nigeria must rely exclusively on official NAFDAC communications for product alerts and recalls, as unofficial viral lists can cause undue alarm, reputational damage, and business disruption. Advise clients to verify any such claims directly through NAFDAC's official website or X account to avoid acting on misinformation.

Source: Original reporting via Africa Check