The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public warning regarding the circulation of counterfeit Cowbell 12g sachets across Nigeria.
The alert followed reports from Promasidor Nigeria Limited, the manufacturer of the genuine product, which confirmed that the fake sachets were neither produced nor distributed by them.
It noted that the packaging design used in the counterfeit product was last employed by the company in September 2023 .
Authorities have flagged several key differences between the authentic and counterfeit sachets:
It noted that genuine Cowbell Our Milk sachets contain creamy milk, while the counterfeit versions contain a substance that does not appear to be milk.
The genuine product also features revised PNG artwork labeled Our Creamy Goodness. In contrast, the counterfeit uses outdated PNG artwork simply titled Our Milk.
NAFDAC also noted that authentic packaging includes batch details printed with laser technology and placed in designated coding areas, whereas the counterfeit features ink printing and encodes information in incorrect locations on the sachet.
It further added that genuine products are sealed and cut on the vertical sides using automated machinery. Counterfeit sachets, however, exhibit manual sealing and cutting .
NAFDAC used the medium to issue.a stern risk warning, noting that the consumption of counterfeit milk can pose serious health and safety threats. These may include exposure to toxic substances, unapproved additives, or diluted ingredients that fail to meet food safety standards. Potential outcomes range from foodborne illness and allergic reactions to organ damage or even death, particularly among vulnerable groups such as infants, pregnant women, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals .
NAFDAC said it has directed all zonal directors and state coordinators to conduct surveillance operations and remove the fake products from circulation within their respective jurisdictions .
The agency has also urged importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and consumers to exercise heightened vigilance across the supply chain.
Buyers should ensure products are obtained only from authorized or licensed manufacturers and suppliers. Product authenticity and physical condition must be carefully checked before use, it warned.
“To report suspected counterfeit or substandard food products, individuals are encouraged to contact their nearest NAFDAC office, call the dedicated hotline at 0800-162-3322, or email [email protected]. Healthcare professionals and consumers may also report adverse effects through the agency’s e-reporting platforms on the NAFDAC website or via [email protected],” it added.