The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has debunked a viral audio circulating on social media that claims the agency shut down the Tummy Tummy noodles facility in Anambra State and banned tinned tomatoes and Maggi seasoning cubes.
Describing the audio as false, misleading, and entirely unfounded, NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the agency had previously investigated the same claims when the recording first emerged in October 2023.
In a statement on Wednesday by the agency’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, Prof. Adeyeye clarified, “Contrary to the claims made in the recording, the Tummy Tummy noodles facility in Anambra State was not sealed.”
According to her, an inspection team from NAFDAC had paid an unannounced visit to the factory, collected samples from four different noodle variants, and submitted them to the Agulu Laboratory for thorough analysis.
“The results returned satisfactory, with no infractions recorded,” she confirmed.
Prof. Adeyeye further described as deceptive the claim in the audio that the product contained a harmful preservative identified as acetyl methyl, allegedly flagged by someone claiming to work in partnership with NAFDAC.
“NAFDAC found no evidence to support the claims and reiterates that the company was not in violation of any safety or regulatory standards,” she emphasized.
Addressing wider public concerns, she recalled that following international reports in 2023 linking ethylene oxide to some noodle products, NAFDAC initiated a nationwide investigation covering both manufacturing sites and retail outlets.
“Findings confirmed that ethylene oxide or its derivative was not present in any instant noodles or seasonings produced in Nigeria.
Additionally, mycotoxin levels and heavy metals were within internationally acceptable limits, confirming the safety of Nigerian-made noodles,” she stated.
Prof. Adeyeye also reaffirmed that NAFDAC has not placed any ban on tinned tomatoes or Maggi seasoning cubes, urging Nigerians to disregard the misleading content.
“We urge the public to disregard the misleading audio and refrain from spreading unverified content,” she appealed.
She assured consumers that NAFDAC remains fully committed to its mandate of ensuring the safety, quality, and regulatory compliance of all food and drug products made available to Nigerians.
