“It Did Not Come From Us”: NAFDAC Tells Nigerians to Ignore Viral Products List

A list landed on millions of phones this week, naming products as fake, and Nigerians began to forward it.

On Friday, 9 October 2026, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) stepped in to say the list is not its own and that the public should disregard it.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the agency made the clarification in a press release dated 9 October 2026 and signed by its Director-General/CEO, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, PhD, FAS.

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The statement is titled “NAFDAC Clarifies Viral List of Alleged Fake Products – List Did Not Originate From Agency.”

Who decides that a list of product names and photographs is true? NAFDAC’s answer is plain: not the person who forwards it, and not the list itself.

THE LIST DID NOT COME FROM NAFDAC

According to the press release, the agency has disassociated itself from the viral list circulating on social media. The list purports to identify products in the Nigerian market as fake, adulterated or substandard.

NAFDAC clarified that the list did not emanate from the agency. The public should not regard it as an official regulatory alert, recall notice or safety communication.

ValidViewNetwork can confirm that the statement does not say who created the list or which products it names. The agency rejected the list as a whole.

HOW A PRODUCT IS DECLARED FAKE

NAFDAC stated that it does not declare products fake, adulterated or unsafe without due regulatory processes. Those processes include investigation, sampling and, where necessary, scientific and laboratory verification.

Findings show that the agency sets a high bar for its own alerts. Official NAFDAC alerts are specific and verifiable. The agency issues them through its established communication channels, with details of the affected product and the appropriate regulatory action.

For that reason, NAFDAC advised members of the public to disregard the viral list. It also urged them to refrain from sharing or amplifying the unverified information.

THE COST OF A CARELESS FORWARD

The agency warned that misinformation of this nature can cause unnecessary public concern. It can also unfairly damage the reputation and business interests of legitimate manufacturers, distributors and retailers.

NAFDAC added a point every social media user should note. The appearance of a product name or photograph on a social media list does not, in itself, constitute an official NAFDAC finding that the product is fake or unsafe.

David Hume argued that a wise person proportions belief to evidence. A viral list borrows the look of evidence without its substance.

Nigerian traders know the price well, because one “forward to all your contacts” message can empty a shop before anyone tests a single sample.

WHAT OFFICIAL ALERTS ARE FOR

Checks by ValidViewNetwork show that the agency describes its Public Alerts as a reference resource for consumers, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders. People use them to identify products requiring regulatory attention and to avoid potential harm.

Where necessary, NAFDAC issues alerts, conducts market surveillance and mops up affected products for appropriate regulatory action, including destruction. The agency promised to continue enforcement action whenever investigations and scientific assessments establish that regulatory intervention is required.

WHERE TO VERIFY

NAFDAC urged Nigerians and all stakeholders to rely on its official communication channels for accurate information on product alerts, recalls, withdrawals, suspensions and other regulatory actions.

Enquiries: call 0700-1-NAFDAC (0700-1-623322)

Complaints: call 0800-1-NAFDAC (0800-1-623322)

Email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng

The question that opened this report has a simple answer. A product is fake when a regulator proves it through investigation, sampling and laboratory work, and announces it through an official channel. Until that happens, a list is only a rumour with a photograph. ValidViewNetwork reports.