The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has alerted Nigerians to illegally altered manufacturing and expiry dates of SMA Gold First Infant Milk Formula (900g) on sale in Kaduna State.

The agency in a post on X, on Sunday, attached two pictures of the product, one showing the original production date as May 28, 2023, and expiry date May 28, 2025. But it was super-imposed with a carbon layer showing January 20, 2025 and January 20, 2027, as manufactured and expiry dates respectively.

The agency disclosed that a four-month-old baby fed with the product suffered gastrointestinal distress. 

The statement read, “NAFDAC is alerting healthcare providers, caregivers, and the public to a report of a suspected revalidated SMA Gold First Infant Milk Formula (900g) found for sale in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The product allegedly caused gastrointestinal distress in a 4-month-old infant following consumption.

“Physical examination of the complaint product sample revealed clear indicators of date marking alteration. The manufacturing and expiry dates on the top preprinted sticker was inconsistent with the underlying, originally printed version. This confirms the suspicion of revalidation and tampering.

“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 6 months.”

Stating that the integrity of the product was dependent on compliance with regulatory requirements, the agency warned that any alteration or extension of the shelf life without regulatory approval, was a significant risks to public health.