NAFDAC uncovers expired chemicals, warns against recalled US supplements

Summary

• NAFDAC seizes ₦1 billion worth of expired and toxic chemicals in Lagos, citing serious health and security risks
• The agency warns against recalled US multivitamin supplements lacking child-resistant packaging
• Commits to strengthening public health safeguards and improving oversight of hazardous products 

Lagos, Nigeria – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intensified efforts to protect public health following the discovery of expired and toxic chemicals in Lagos, alongside a warning about the circulation of recalled dietary supplements from the United States.

In a major operation on 8 July 2025, NAFDAC raided warehouses in the Alapere area of Ketu, Lagos, seizing expired industrial chemicals, counterfeit food flavours, and repackaged pharmaceutical raw materials valued at over ₦1 billion.

The illegal stockpile included hazardous substances such as caustic soda, urea fertiliser, and propylene glycol, some of which were relabelled with falsified expiry dates and distributed for food and drug production. Several suspects were arrested, while the prime suspect remains at large.

Officials warned that the improper use or repackaging of expired chemicals, particularly those intended for consumption or medicinal use, poses a severe threat to human health.

Dr Martins Iluyomade, NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, highlighted the potential for poisoning, treatment failure, or even death resulting from such practices. The presence of controlled substances also raised national security concerns, as some chemicals are precursors for explosives.

NAFDAC has pledged to intensify surveillance of raw materials, expand investigations into the supply chain, and ensure that importers and manufacturers adhere to stringent disposal protocols to prevent further abuse.

In a separate development, the agency issued a public alert on 9 July 2025 warning Nigerians against consuming specific batches of California Gold Nutrition multivitamin and iron supplements recently recalled in the United States.

The affected products, including Daily Prenatal Multi and Ultamins Women’s Multivitamin ranges, were withdrawn over non-compliance with child-resistant packaging requirements under the US Poison Prevention Packaging Act.

NAFDAC cautioned that the absence of proper packaging increases the risk of accidental iron poisoning in children, which can result in serious complications such as organ damage, internal bleeding, or death.

The agency has directed its zonal offices and state coordinators to remove any such products from circulation and urged retailers, healthcare providers, and consumers to verify product batch numbers and expiration dates.

The recall, affecting approximately 60,000 units sold across major US retail platforms such as Amazon, Walmart, and Target, has raised concerns about the importation of unsafe goods into Nigeria, particularly via online channels.

The public is urged to remain vigilant, report suspicious products, and follow regulatory guidance to prevent exposure to harmful substances.