The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted healthcare providers, caregivers and the general public to a suspected case of revalidated SMA Gold First Infant Milk Formula (900g) discovered on sale in Kaduna State.
According to the agency, the product was linked to gastrointestinal distress in a four-month-old infant following consumption, prompting an investigation into its authenticity and safety.
NAFDAC disclosed that a physical examination of the complaint sample revealed clear signs of date marking alteration. The manufacturing and expiry dates displayed on a top pre-printed sticker were found to be inconsistent with the originally printed dates beneath it, confirming suspicions of shelf-life revalidation and product tampering.
SMA Gold Infant Formula is described as a nutritionally complete, whey-dominant formula designed to replicate the nutritional profile of breast milk for infants from birth to six months. The agency emphasised that the product’s integrity is contingent upon strict compliance with regulatory standards, warning that any unauthorised alteration or extension of shelf life poses serious public health risks.
NAFDAC identified several dangers associated with date revalidation of infant formula, including product adulteration, material misrepresentation of safety and quality status, and consumer deception regarding freshness and nutritional value. The agency further cautioned that expired infant formula may harbour microbial contamination and suffer nutrient degradation, presenting grave risks to infants with still-developing immune systems.
The reported case of diarrhoea in the affected infant, NAFDAC noted, raises concerns about possible product deterioration. Potential consequences of consuming compromised formula may include acute gastroenteritis requiring hospitalisation, dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, malnutrition arising from reduced nutritional content, secondary infections in vulnerable infants, and in severe cases, fatal outcomes if contaminated with pathogenic bacteria.
The agency urged healthcare professionals and consumers to promptly report any suspected sale of substandard or falsified regulated products to the nearest NAFDAC office. Reports can also be made via its toll-free number, 0800-162-3322, or by email to sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.
Adverse events or side effects associated with the implicated product should likewise be reported to NAFDAC through its offices, the e-reporting platforms available on its official website, or via the Med Safety App accessible on Android and iOS devices.
