The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has denied allegations circulating on social media that it approved a herbal product claiming to make smoking “healthy”.
In a statement released by the agency and signed by its resident media consultant, Sayo Akintola, yesterday, NAFDAC refuted the misleading claims, clarifying that the product in question, Lung Detox Tea or Lungitox (Smokers Pride), is not registered with the agency.
Akintola said that the product’s manufacturer had submitted it for registration in 2023 as an anti-smoking and lung detox tea. However, the application was immediately queried at the Lagos Office Directorate (LOD) due to its dangerous and unsubstantiated claim that smoking could be rendered “healthy” when combined with the product.
He added that the applicant failed to resubmit the product for further evaluation.
NAFDAC emphasised its position against misleading health claims and reiterated that it does not allow depictions of organs in product artwork.
The agency further stressed that herbal products or related products may not make therapeutic claims without proper scientific validation and clinical trials.
“As a scientific and professional agency, NAFDAC will never permit the importation, exportation, manufacture, advertisement, distribution, sale, and use of products with claims that do not have any scientific basis,” the statement read.
The agency urged the public to disregard the misleading video and report any suspicious products or claims to NAFDAC through official channels.
“NAFDAC remains steadfast in its mandate to protect public health and ensure that only safe, effective, scientifically substantiated products are approved. We condemn any attempt to mislead or endanger the public with false claims,” the agency affirmed.
For inquiries or to report suspicious claims, NAFDAC advised the public to contact its toll-free number while assuring that it would take decisive action against individuals or entities attempting to compromise public health standards.
