NAFDAC Warns Against Suspected Revalidated SMA Gold Formula

THE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted Nigerians on a suspected revalidated batch of SMA Gold First Infant Milk Formula (900 grams) being sold in Kaduna State.
NAFDAC, on its official X handle on Sunday, February 22, said the suspected product, found with altered expiry dates, had been linked to infant gastrointestinal distress in a four-month-old infant following consumption.
It explained that the four‑month‑old infant’s diarrhoea case points to possible product deterioration, risking acute gastroenteritis, dehydration and electrolyte imbalance in infants, malnutrition due to compromised nutritional content, secondary infections in immuno-compromised infants and fatal outcomes in severe cases, if contaminated with pathogenic bacteria.
The regulatory agency added that a physical examination of the complaint product sample showed clear indicators of date marking alteration,, as the manufacturing and expiry dates on the top pre-printed sticker was inconsistent with the underlying, originally printed version, which confirmed the suspicion of revalidation and tampering.
NAFDAC, while noting that SMA Gold Infant Formula is a nutritionally complete, whey-dominant formula designed to mirror the nutritional profile of breast milk for babies from birth to six months, said the integrity of the product is dependent on compliance with regulatory requirements and any alteration or extension of the shelf life without regulatory approval poses significant risks to public health.
It warned that revalidating infant‑formula dates is a serious violation, risking adulteration, consumer deception and public health harm, as expired formulas can harbour microbes and lose nutrients, endangering infants with vulnerable immune systems.
The agency explained that the revalidated SMA Gold formula is a Nestle product with batch number 22939510A1206 07:35, with a revalidated manufacture date of January 20, 2025 and expiring date of January 20, 2027.
It said its investigation revealled that the original manufacturing date of the revalidated formula is May 28, 2023, and the expiration date of May 28, 2025, with NAFDAC Reg. No B1-2783.
It stressed its commitment to safeguarding public health, saying it will continue surveillance activities to ensure the quality, safety and efficacy of all NAFDAC-regulated products circulating in Nigeria, adding that all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators had been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the revalidated product if found within the zones and states.
It urged distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals and caregivers to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the distribution, sale and use of the product, while all packaged food and medical products should be obtained from authorised suppliers and the authenticity and physical condition carefully checked.