Health
NAFDAC issues urgent alert on indomie vegetable flavour noodles recall over hidden allergens
Written By: Editor
19 Dec 2025 04:59 PM
Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted the public to a global recall of Indomie Vegetable Flavour instant noodles, citing the presence of undeclared allergens that could endanger consumers with milk or egg sensitivities.
The announcement, posted on X (formerly Twitter) by the agency's official account, highlights a recall initiated by French authorities and urges Nigerians to avoid the product despite low import risks.
The alert stems from a notice by Rappel Conso, France's consumer product recall platform, which flagged the Indomie brand for failing to disclose milk and eggs on its labeling.
According to NAFDAC's detailed advisory, the affected product includes all lots of the Vegetable Flavour variant with a best-before date of February 6, 2026. The origin country is not specified in the recall, but Indomie, produced by Indonesia's Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur, is a popular instant noodle brand exported worldwide, including versions tailored for Middle Eastern markets with Arabic labeling, as seen in product images shared in the alert.
In the X thread, NAFDAC emphasized that while Nigeria's federal ban on noodle imports minimizes the chance of official entry, illicit smuggling, online purchases, or items brought in by travelers could still pose a threat.
"NAFDAC has commenced vigilance actions to guard against possible entry of the brand into the country," the agency stated, advising distributors, retailers, and consumers to discard any stock and report suspicions to local offices or via the toll-free line 0800-162-3322.
Health risks include severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis, for those with intolerances, though no incidents have been reported in Nigeria thus far.
Indomie, often hailed as a staple in Nigerian households for its affordability and quick preparation, has faced scrutiny before. This recall follows a similar incident in December 2024 involving Indomie's Mi Goreng Aceh flavor, which was pulled in Australia over undeclared prawn, fish, milk, and egg allergens.
Earlier controversies, including a 2023 ethylene oxide contamination scare in Taiwan and Malaysia, led to temporary bans, though Indomie maintained compliance with international standards.
The brand remains a cultural icon in Nigeria, where it's commonly customized with eggs, vegetables, or proteins, ironically amplifying risks for unaware allergy sufferers.
NAFDAC's proactive stance includes surveillance and mop-up operations across zones, reflecting ongoing efforts to enforce food safety amid global supply chain challenges.
Consumers with adverse reactions are encouraged to report via the agency's e-platforms.
As Indomie navigates this latest hurdle, the incident underscores the importance of transparent labeling in an increasingly interconnected food market.
The announcement, posted on X (formerly Twitter) by the agency's official account, highlights a recall initiated by French authorities and urges Nigerians to avoid the product despite low import risks.
The alert stems from a notice by Rappel Conso, France's consumer product recall platform, which flagged the Indomie brand for failing to disclose milk and eggs on its labeling.
According to NAFDAC's detailed advisory, the affected product includes all lots of the Vegetable Flavour variant with a best-before date of February 6, 2026. The origin country is not specified in the recall, but Indomie, produced by Indonesia's Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur, is a popular instant noodle brand exported worldwide, including versions tailored for Middle Eastern markets with Arabic labeling, as seen in product images shared in the alert.
In the X thread, NAFDAC emphasized that while Nigeria's federal ban on noodle imports minimizes the chance of official entry, illicit smuggling, online purchases, or items brought in by travelers could still pose a threat.
"NAFDAC has commenced vigilance actions to guard against possible entry of the brand into the country," the agency stated, advising distributors, retailers, and consumers to discard any stock and report suspicions to local offices or via the toll-free line 0800-162-3322.
Health risks include severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis, for those with intolerances, though no incidents have been reported in Nigeria thus far.
Indomie, often hailed as a staple in Nigerian households for its affordability and quick preparation, has faced scrutiny before. This recall follows a similar incident in December 2024 involving Indomie's Mi Goreng Aceh flavor, which was pulled in Australia over undeclared prawn, fish, milk, and egg allergens.
Earlier controversies, including a 2023 ethylene oxide contamination scare in Taiwan and Malaysia, led to temporary bans, though Indomie maintained compliance with international standards.
The brand remains a cultural icon in Nigeria, where it's commonly customized with eggs, vegetables, or proteins, ironically amplifying risks for unaware allergy sufferers.
NAFDAC's proactive stance includes surveillance and mop-up operations across zones, reflecting ongoing efforts to enforce food safety amid global supply chain challenges.
Consumers with adverse reactions are encouraged to report via the agency's e-platforms.
As Indomie navigates this latest hurdle, the incident underscores the importance of transparent labeling in an increasingly interconnected food market.
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