*Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control assets the agency categorically refutes the claim as 鈥榝alse, baseless, and completely unfounded鈥�, stating 鈥榯he product in question鈥擫ung Detox Tea or Lungitox (Smokers Pride), or any similar product鈥攊s NOT registered by NAFDAC鈥�

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

As a timely measure to safeguard the wellbeing of Nigerian consumers, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has invalidated the alleged regulatory approval for an herbal product claiming that 鈥渟moking is healthy鈥� when used with their product.

绿帽献妻 reports NAFDAC stated the declaration of its stance is in direct response to a recent misleading video circulating on social media, purporting that the health sector regulatory agency has duly approved the registration of the herbal product.

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of the agency, in a public notice released Tuesday, December 17, 2024, said: 鈥淣AFDAC categorically refutes this claim as false, baseless, and completely unfounded.

鈥淭he product in question鈥擫ung Detox Tea or Lungitox (Smokers Pride), or any similar product鈥攊s NOT registered by NAFDAC.鈥�

Adeyeye affirmed that NAFDAC will continue to take decisive action against any individuals or entities that violate public health standards.

The agency recalled that an 鈥渦nscrupulous individual鈥�, in 2023, had submitted an application to register an 鈥渁nti-smoke and lung detox tea鈥� at NAFDAC鈥檚 Lagos State Office (LSO).

Adeyeye stated, however, upon review of the document, the application was rejected due to the unsubstantiated and dangerous claim that smoking could be made 鈥渉ealthy鈥� by consuming the product.

The applicant was asked to substantiate his claim, but the product was never resubmitted for processing.

NAFDAC also said: 鈥淚t is important to emphasise that NAFDAC does not and will never permit the approval, importation, exportation, manufacture, advertisement, distribution, or sale of any product that lacks a solid scientific basis or any product that poses a potential risk to public health.

鈥淭he claims made in the application were not only unscientific, but also posed a significant danger to public health.鈥�

According to the Director-General of NAFDAC, as a science-driven and professional regulatory body, the agency 鈥渟trictly enforces its mandate to protect public health, as outlined in the NAFDAC Act Cap N1 LFN 2004.鈥�

She equally asserted: 鈥淎ll products under the Agency鈥檚 regulatory purview鈥攆ood, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, bottled water, and chemicals鈥攁re thoroughly evaluated for safety, quality, and efficacy before approval.鈥�

The agency further clarified that aside from these, it does not allow the use of pictorials of organs on product packaging or artwork, as seen in the misleading product in this regard.

Adeyeye stated: 鈥淣AFDAC reiterates that clients who apply to register herbal products or any similar products are not permitted to make therapeutic claims, unless those claims have been scientifically validated through proper clinical trials.

鈥淢isleading and deceptive practices, especially those that endanger public health, will not be tolerated.鈥�

Reassuring Nigerian consumers, NAFDAC noted it remains resolute in its commitment to safeguarding public health by ensuring that only safe, effective, and scientifically substantiated products are approved.

鈥淲e condemn any attempts by individuals or organisations to mislead the public or promote products with unfounded claims,鈥� stated the Director-General.

Meanwhile, the NAFDAC Chief has disclosed the regulatory agency is not unmindful of the bogus and unsubstantiated allegations of financial inducement contained in the said video making the rounds in the virtual space.

She also said the Legal Services Directorate (LESD) of the agency is reviewing the statements of financial compromise with the goal of seeking a redress in the law court.

Adeyeye said: 鈥淭his should serve as a deterrent to individuals who may choose to malign or make libellous statements against the Agency in the future.鈥�

She added: 鈥淭he general public is advised to disregard the misleading video and avoid patronising any unregistered or suspicious products.

鈥淲e encourage everyone to report such activities to NAFDAC through the following channels: Hotline: 0800-162-3322 E-mail: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng or reform@nafdac.gov.ng, Web site: .

Kindly Share This Story