Anxiety is spreading across Nigeria following a public alert 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.
NAFDAC warned that the affected product contains milk and eggs, substances that could cause severe and potentially life-threatening reactions in people with allergies or intolerances.
In a statement titled Public Alert No. 041/2025, the agency said the recall was triggered by a notification from France’s food safety authority, Rappel Conso, which flagged the product for failing to disclose the presence of milk and eggs on its label.
According to NAFDAC, the recall applies to all batches of Indomie Noodles, Vegetable Flavour, with a best-before date of February 6, 2026. The country of origin of the product was not stated in the recall notice.
“NAFDAC is informing the public that the French authority, Rappel Conso, has issued a notice regarding the recall of Indomie Noodles, Vegetable Flavour,” the agency said. “This recall is due to the presence of undeclared allergens, specifically milk and eggs, which may pose serious health risks to consumers with allergies or intolerances.”
Indomie noodles are widely consumed in Nigeria and beyond because of their affordability, convenience and popularity, especially among children and young adults.
Although the Federal Government has banned the importation of noodles into Nigeria, NAFDAC stressed the need for vigilance to prevent possible illegal entry or circulation of the recalled product.
“While the official risk of these products entering Nigeria is low due to the import ban, there is still a need for heightened vigilance to prevent possible illicit entry or circulation of the implicated Indomie brand,” the agency stated.
NAFDAC added that while the likelihood of the product entering the country was considered low, it could still be acquired through online purchases or international travel.
The agency said it had begun intensified surveillance nationwide and directed its zonal directors and state coordinators to immediately seize the product if found anywhere in the country.
Distributors, retailers and consumers were advised to avoid the sale, distribution or consumption of the recalled product. Consumers were urged to discard it and report any sightings to the nearest NAFDAC office or via its toll-free line, 0800-162-3322.
NAFDAC also encouraged the public to report any adverse reactions linked to the consumption of the product as part of efforts to protect public health.
Following the alert, many Nigerians took to X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to express concern, questioning how the recalled product could still reach the country despite the import ban. The reactions reflected broader worries about food safety, regulatory enforcement and the protection of vulnerable consumers, particularly children.
Some users called for stricter border controls and routine market inspections, while others urged NAFDAC to monitor online marketplaces, warning that digital platforms could be used to sell unsafe or recalled food products.
Amid the speculation, Indomie Nigeria distanced itself from the recalled product. In a statement to Sunday PUNCH, the company said it neither produces nor distributes any noodle variant known as Vegetable Flavour, describing reports linking it to the recall as misleading.
“The product referenced in the NAFDAC alert is not manufactured, imported, distributed or sold in Nigeria,” the company said, adding that the recall in France was issued in August 2025 and that the Nigerian alert was purely precautionary.
Indomie Nigeria reassured consumers that all locally produced noodles by Dufil Prima Foods comply fully with NAFDAC regulations and are safe for consumption. The company also noted that images of the recalled product circulating online did not match its approved packaging, branding or labelling standards, and reminded the public that noodle importation into Nigeria remains prohibited by law.
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