Anxiety is spreading across Nigeria following a public alert issued by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on the recall of Indomie Noodles, Vegetable Flavour, over the presence of undeclared allergens.
The agency warned that the affected product contains milk and eggs, substances capable of triggering severe and potentially life-threatening reactions in people with allergies or food intolerances.
In its statement, titled Public Alert No. 041/2025, NAFDAC explained that the recall followed a notification from France’s food safety authority, Rappel Conso. The French regulator flagged the product for failing to disclose the presence of milk and eggs on its label, a violation of food safety standards. According to NAFDAC, all batches of the Indomie Vegetable Flavour noodles with a best-before date of February 6, 2026, are affected, although the country of origin was not stated in the recall notice.
The alert has raised concerns largely because Indomie noodles are one of the most widely consumed food items in Nigeria, valued for their affordability, convenience, and popularity, especially among children and young adults. While the Federal Government maintains a ban on the importation of noodles into Nigeria, NAFDAC stressed that vigilance remains necessary. The agency warned that illegal entry, online purchases, or products brought in through international travel could still find their way into local markets.
NAFDAC disclosed that it has commenced nationwide vigilance actions, directing zonal directors and state coordinators to intensify surveillance and immediately remove the product if found. Distributors, retailers, and consumers were advised to avoid the sale, distribution, or consumption of the recalled noodles. Consumers were also urged to discard the product and report any suspected sales to the nearest NAFDAC office or through its official hotline.
Public reaction to the alert has been swift and intense, particularly on social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook. Many Nigerians questioned how a recalled product could still pose a threat despite the long-standing ban on noodle importation. Others expressed fears for children, who are among the highest consumers of instant noodles, and called for stricter border surveillance and more frequent market inspections.
Some users urged NAFDAC to extend its monitoring to online marketplaces, warning that unregulated digital platforms could become major channels for unsafe or recalled food products. While some commentators focused on the need for clearer labelling for people with allergies, others used the moment to raise broader concerns about artificial additives, food quality, and long-term health implications.
Amid the growing speculation, Indomie Nigeria moved quickly to distance itself from the recalled product. In a statement to Sunday PUNCH, the company clarified that it does not manufacture, import, distribute, or sell any noodle variant known as Vegetable Flavour. It described reports linking Indomie Nigeria to the recall as misleading and stressed that the affected product was recalled in France in August 2025, with Nigeria’s alert issued purely as a precautionary public health measure.
The company reassured consumers that all Indomie noodles produced locally by Dufil Prima Foods meet regulatory and safety standards and are fully compliant with NAFDAC requirements. It also noted that images of the recalled product circulating online do not align with its approved packaging and branding, reminding the public that noodle importation into Nigeria remains prohibited by law.
For many Nigerians, the NAFDAC alert is not just about a single product, but about trust in the systems designed to protect public health—especially for the most vulnerable consumers.