The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Wednesday refuted an audio recording circulating on social media that claims the agency shut down the Tummy Tummy noodles facility in Anambra and banned tin tomatoes and Maggi seasoning cubes.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, unequivocally disclaimed the contents of the recording, saying the agency “dissociates herself from it in its entirety.”
NAFDAC said the same audio first surfaced in October 2023 and was thoroughly investigated at that time. Contrary to the recording’s assertions, the Tummy Tummy noodles manufacturing facility in Anambra state was not sealed. A NAFDAC inspection team conducted an unscheduled visit to the factory, collected samples of four different noodle variants, and submitted them for evaluation at the Agulu Laboratory. The results, NAFDAC confirmed, “returned satisfactory, with no infractions recorded.”
The individual who created the misleading audio claimed he collaboration with NAFDAC and alleged the presence of “acetyl methyl” as a preservative in the product. NAFDAC found these claims to be unfounded and misleading.
NAFDAC addressed broader concerns from 2023 regarding the presence of ethylene oxide in instant noodles. It said the agency conducted a comprehensive investigation at both factory and market levels, which “confirmed that ethylene oxide or its derivative was not present in any instant noodles or seasonings produced in Nigeria.”