NAFDAC alerts Nigerians to recalled citro-soda products

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

Nigerians have been advised to verify the Citro-Soda products in their possession after the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) issued a safety alert on selected batches of the popular antacid recalled in South Africa over contamination concerns.

The alert, contained in Public Alert No. 025/2026, followed information received from the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAPHRA) regarding specific batches of Citro-Soda Regular manufactured at the Adcock Ingram Clayville facility in Johannesburg.

Citro-Soda is widely used as a gastric antacid and urinary alkaliniser for the relief of heartburn, indigestion and symptoms associated with urinary tract infections.

According to NAFDAC, the recall was initiated after a potential contamination risk was identified at the South African manufacturing plant, prompting health authorities to withdraw the affected products as a precautionary measure.

The agency warned that contaminated medicines could endanger public health.

“The use of contaminated medicinal products poses a severe risk to public health, with the potential to cause acute toxicity, long-term health complications, or death,” NAFDAC stated.»

The regulator explained that only Citro-Soda Regular products produced at the Clayville facility are affected. The recalled products include all batches with numbers beginning with the letter “C”, expiry dates on or before November 2027, and pack sizes of 60g, 120g and 4g x 30 sachets.

NAFDAC clarified that the recall applies exclusively to the Regular flavour of the product and concerns batches manufactured at the Johannesburg facility.

“It is important to stress that the recall was conducted in South Africa, and the implicated batches were produced in the Adcock Ingram Clayville manufacturing facility in Johannesburg,” the agency said.»

As part of efforts to prevent the circulation of the affected products, NAFDAC said surveillance activities have been intensified across the country to identify and remove any recalled batches that may have entered the supply chain.

The agency urged importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals and consumers to exercise caution and ensure that the affected products are not imported, sold, supplied or used.

Consumers were also advised to purchase medicines only from licensed and authorised outlets and to carefully inspect products before use.

NAFDAC called on healthcare professionals and members of the public to report any suspected sale of the recalled products or other substandard and falsified medicines to the nearest agency office. Reports can also be made through its toll-free line, 0800-162-3322, or by email to sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public health through strict regulation of medicines and other regulated products, assuring Nigerians that it would continue to monitor the situation and take necessary measures to safeguard consumers.