The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has debunked claims that the agency shut down the manufacturing facility of Tummy Tummy noodles in Anambra State and imposed a ban on tinned tomatoes and Maggi seasoning cubes.
An audio recording circulating online had made the claim, alleging that the Tummy Tummy facility was shut down because it didn’t meet the standard of NAFDAC.
However, in a statement signed by the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojishola Adeyeye, the agency said the result of an unscheduled visit to the facility returned satisfactory.
The letter dated July 23, 2025, reads partly, “NAFDAC categorically disclaims the contents of this recording and dissociates itself from it in its entirety. The same audio first surfaced in October 2023 and was thoroughly investigated at that time. Contrary to the claims made in the recording, the Tummy Tummy noodles facility in Anambra State was not sealed. A NAFDAC inspection team conducted an unscheduled visit to the facility, collected samples of four different noodle variants, and submitted them to the Agulu Laboratory for evaluation. The results returned satisfactory, with no infractions recorded.
“The individual who created the audio falsely claimed to be acting in collaboration with NAFDAC and alleged the presence of ‘acetyl methyl’ as a preservative in the product. This was unfounded and misleading. NAFDAC found no evidence to support the claims and reiterates that the company was not in violation of any safety or regulatory standards.
“Furthermore, following widespread concern in 2023 about the presence of ethylene oxide in instant noodles, NAFDAC conducted a comprehensive investigation at both factory and market levels. Findings confirmed that ethylene oxide or its derivative was NOT present in any instant noodles or seasonings produced in Nigeria. Additionally, mycotoxin levels and heavy metals were within internationally acceptable limits, confirming the safety of Nigerian-made noodles.”
The agency urged the public to disregard the misleading audio and refrain from spreading unverified content while also affirming that “there is no ban on tinned tomatoes or Maggi seasoning cubes in Nigeria”.
