Anxiety is spreading across Nigeria following a public safety alert issued by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) over the recall of Indomie Noodles, Vegetable Flavour, due to the presence of undeclared allergens.
NAFDAC disclosed that the affected product contains milk and eggs—substances capable of causing severe and potentially life-threatening reactions in individuals with allergies or intolerances. The warning was contained in Public Alert No. 041/2025, following a notification from France’s food safety authority, Rappel Conso, which flagged the product for failing to declare these allergens on its label.
According to the agency, the recall affects all batches of Indomie Noodles, Vegetable Flavour with a best-before date of February 6, 2026. The country of origin was not specified in the recall notice.
“NAFDAC is informing the public that the French authority, Rappel Conso, has issued a notice regarding the recall of the Indomie brand Noodles Vegetable Flavour due to the presence of undeclared allergens, specifically milk and eggs,” the agency stated, noting that the omission poses significant health risks to vulnerable consumers.
Indomie noodles are widely consumed across Nigeria due to their affordability and convenience, particularly among children and young adults. Although the Federal Government maintains a ban on the importation of noodles, NAFDAC stressed the need for heightened vigilance to prevent the possible illegal entry or circulation of the recalled product.
“While the official risk of these products entering Nigeria is low due to the importation ban, acquisition through online purchases or international travel cannot be ruled out,” the agency warned.
NAFDAC said it has intensified nationwide surveillance, directing zonal directors and state coordinators to immediately trace and remove the product if found. Distributors, retailers and consumers were advised to avoid the sale, distribution or consumption of the recalled noodles and to report any sightings to the nearest NAFDAC office or via the agency’s public contact lines.
Consumers were further urged to discard the product and promptly report any adverse reactions linked to its consumption, as part of broader efforts to safeguard public health.
The alert has sparked widespread reactions on social media platforms, with many Nigerians questioning how the recalled product could still pose a risk despite the importation ban. Concerns have also been raised about food safety enforcement, online marketplaces, and the protection of children, who remain among the highest consumers of instant noodles.
In response to the growing concerns, Indomie Nigeria clarified that it is not connected to the recalled product. In a statement to Hobnob News, the company said it does not manufacture, import, distribute or sell any noodle variant known as Vegetable Flavour in Nigeria.
“The product referenced in the NAFDAC alert is not manufactured, imported, distributed or sold in Nigeria,” the company stated, adding that the recall occurred in France in August 2025 and that the Nigerian alert was issued purely as a precautionary measure.
Indomie Nigeria assured consumers that all noodles produced locally by Dufil Prima Foods comply strictly with NAFDAC regulations and meet established quality and safety standards.
“The packaging circulating online does not align with Indomie Nigeria’s approved branding and labelling,” the company added, reiterating that noodle importation into Nigeria remains prohibited by law.
As regulatory authorities intensify monitoring efforts, the incident has reignited national conversations around food safety, regulatory oversight and the need for stronger controls—particularly in digital marketplaces—to prevent unsafe products from reaching consumers.
