By: Sayo Akintola
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has responded to a recent article by Premium Times dated August 27, 2024, titled “Investigation: Milk or Mimic: Nigeria’s Dairy Market, a Hub for Inferior EU Products.”
In a statement released by Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC, on Friday, the agency reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all dairy products sold in Nigeria meet rigorous regulatory standards. She highlighted that the Milk and Dairy Products Regulations, 2021, offer clear definitions for various types of milk and dairy products, including whole milk powder, skimmed milk powder, and filled milk.
Prof. Adeyeye emphasized that the Codex Alimentarius Commission, a globally recognized authority on food standards, has set guidelines for products such as filled milk, which consists of skimmed milk combined with non-fat milk (using vegetable fat). This product is recognized in the *Milk and Dairy Products Regulations, 2021*, and is officially accepted in Nigeria.
NAFDAC emphasized its dedication to protecting public health by performing rigorous regulatory assessments prior to approving any products for use in the country. “NAFDAC remains unwavering in fulfilling its responsibilities to the public and will not approve products for use in Nigeria without proper regulatory scrutiny to ensure public health safety,” Adeyeye stated.