NAFDAC Bans Imported Indomie Vegetable Flavour Noodles Over Undeclared Allergens

Nigeria’s food safety regulator, the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has announced a ban on the Indomie Vegetable Flavour noodle product, citing the presence of undeclared allergens—milk and eggs—that could pose serious health risks to consumers with food allergies or intolerances.

The decision was made public through NAFDAC Public Alert No. 041/2025, issued on Friday and reported by TVC News. According to the agency, the affected product is an imported version of Indomie Vegetable Flavour noodles, not the variant manufactured locally in Nigeria.

NAFDAC explained that the alert followed a recall notice issued by French food safety authorities, specifically Rappel Conso, France’s official consumer product recall platform. The French authorities identified that the product contained milk and egg derivatives that were not declared on the label, a violation of international food safety and labeling regulations.

In its statement, NAFDAC emphasized that undeclared allergens present a significant danger to individuals who are allergic to milk or eggs. Such consumers rely on ingredient labels to make safe dietary choices, and exposure—often unknowingly—can result in mild reactions, severe allergic responses, or even life-threatening anaphylaxis.

“Public Alert No. 041/2025: Recall of Indomie brand noodles (Vegetable Flavour Product) due to the presence of undeclared allergens (milk and eggs),” the agency stated.

NAFDAC noted that while Indomie noodles remain one of the most popular instant food products globally, valued for their affordability, convenience, and widespread household use, regulatory oversight must remain strict where consumer safety is concerned. The agency stressed that popularity does not exempt any product from compliance with food safety standards.

Addressing public concerns about availability within Nigeria, NAFDAC clarified that the risk of the affected product entering the Nigerian market is officially low, due to the Federal Government’s standing ban on the importation of noodles. However, the agency warned that illicit importation, online purchases, and personal travel could still provide pathways for the recalled product to circulate within the country.

As a precaution, NAFDAC has activated nationwide surveillance measures. All zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to monitor markets, warehouses, and retail outlets and to seize and remove the product immediately if found.

The agency also issued firm guidance to distributors, retailers, and consumers, urging them to remain vigilant and avoid the sale, purchase, or consumption of the affected Indomie Vegetable Flavour noodles. Consumers who already possess the product have been advised to discard it safely and not consume it, regardless of whether they have known allergies.

In addition, NAFDAC encouraged members of the public to report sightings or sales of the recalled product to the nearest NAFDAC office or through the agency’s toll-free line, 0800-162-3322. Consumers were also advised to report any adverse reactions or side effects associated with food products through NAFDAC’s official e-reporting platforms.

The announcement triggered mixed reactions online. While some Nigerians expressed skepticism and accused the agency of inconsistency or selective enforcement, others defended the action, pointing out that the issue was not the use of milk or eggs themselves, but the failure to clearly declare their presence on the product label.

Food safety experts note that allergens such as milk and eggs are commonly used ingredients across many food products worldwide. However, international best practices require that they be clearly identified, precisely because even trace amounts can cause severe reactions in sensitive individuals.

NAFDAC has not announced a blanket ban on Indomie products in Nigeria, nor has it suggested that locally produced Indomie noodles are affected. The agency’s action is limited to the specific imported Vegetable Flavour variant identified in the French recall.

As debates continue in the public space, the regulator maintains that its primary responsibility remains the protection of public health. The episode has once again highlighted the importance of accurate labeling, regulatory vigilance, and consumer awareness in Nigeria’s food supply chain.