The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against consuming Indomie Noodles Vegetable Flavour, declaring the product unsafe and ordering its immediate recall nationwide following an international food safety alert.
In Public Alert No. 041/2025 released on Friday, NAFDAC disclosed that France’s consumer protection authority, Rappel Conso, initiated a recall of the product after laboratory analysis revealed the presence of undeclared allergens, specifically milk and eggs, which were not listed on the product label.
According to the agency, the omission poses serious health risks, particularly to individuals with allergies or food intolerances, as exposure could trigger severe allergic reactions. The recall applies to all affected batches with a best-before date of February 6, 2026, although the country of manufacture was not specified.
NAFDAC explained that the decision to issue the public warning was based on precautionary public health considerations, stressing the potential danger the product presents to sensitive consumers.
However, the agency has clarified that the recalled Indomie Vegetable Flavour did not originate from Nigeria and is not available in the Nigerian market. This clarification was contained in a statement issued on Sunday and signed by the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, following public concern triggered by reports of the recall.
“The management of NAFDAC is aware of the recall of Indomie Noodles Vegetable Flavour by the French authority due to the presence of undeclared allergens, specifically milk and eggs, which may pose significant health risks to consumers with allergies or intolerances,” the statement said.
Prof. Adeyeye noted that the product is not registered with NAFDAC for sale in Nigeria, adding that noodles are included on the Federal Government’s Import Prohibition List, making their importation into the country illegal. She explained that this significantly reduces the likelihood of the recalled product entering the Nigerian market.
Despite this, NAFDAC said it has activated heightened surveillance nationwide to prevent any possible entry of the product through unauthorized channels such as online purchases or personal travel. Zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to intensify monitoring and confiscate the product if found in markets, warehouses, or distribution outlets.
The agency also placed its Ports Inspection Directorate on high alert to guard against the importation of the implicated noodles.
NAFDAC urged consumers, wholesalers, and retailers to remain vigilant across the food supply chain and to discard the product immediately if found, while avoiding consumption. Members of the public were advised to report any sightings to the nearest NAFDAC office or via the agency’s toll-free number 0800-162-3322.
The agency further encouraged Nigerians to report any adverse health effects linked to the product through its official e-reporting platforms available on www.nafdac.gov.ng.
Reassuring the public, NAFDAC stated that all Indomie Instant Noodles and other noodle brands registered for sale in Nigeria are manufactured locally and only approved after meeting strict regulatory requirements, including compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices.
The development has once again drawn attention to food safety standards and the importance of strict regulatory oversight, particularly given the widespread consumption of instant noodles in Nigerian households.