The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has disclaimed a viral audio circulating on social media, which falsely claims that the agency shut down the production facility of Tummy Tummy noodles in Anambra State and placed a ban on tinned tomatoes and Maggi seasoning cubes.
The NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, described the claims as “entirely false and misleading,” noting that the same audio had first surfaced in October 2023 but was thoroughly investigated and found to be baseless.
According to Adeyeye in a press statement, an unscheduled inspection was conducted at the Tummy Tummy noodles facility in Anambra, during which samples of four different noodle variants were collected and tested at the NAFDAC Laboratory in Agulu.
The outcome, she affirmed, showed no infractions and that the products met all safety and regulatory standards.
“The individual behind the audio falsely claimed to be working with NAFDAC and alleged the use of ‘acetyl methyl’ as a preservative in the noodles. Our investigations found no such substance present. The company was not found in violation of any safety regulation,” she said.
The NAFDAC boss further clarified that in response to widespread concerns in 2023 regarding the presence of ethylene oxide in instant noodles, a comprehensive investigation was carried out across production sites and markets. The findings confirmed that neither ethylene oxide nor its derivatives were present in any instant noodles or seasoning products manufactured in Nigeria.
Additionally, she stated that all tested samples showed mycotoxin levels and heavy metals within internationally accepted safety limits, reaffirming the safety of locally produced noodles.
NAFDAC also debunked rumours of a ban on tinned tomatoes and Maggi cubes, maintaining that no such restriction exists.
Prof. Adeyeye therefore, urged Nigerians to disregard the misleading audio and avoid sharing unverified content capable of causing public panic.
“NAFDAC remains committed to its mandate of safeguarding public health by ensuring that only safe, high-quality, and properly regulated food and drug products are available to Nigerians,” she concluded.
