By Onilede Titi Faith
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has issued a public alert on the circulation of counterfeit Cowbell “Our Milk” 12g sachets across Nigeria.
In a notice released on Friday via its official website, the agency said Promasidor Nigeria Ltd, the authorised manufacturer of Cowbell milk, had reported the presence of fake versions in the market.
The counterfeit products were found to mimic the original packaging, trademark, and even the genuine NAFDAC registration number.
Promasidor confirmed that the design currently used on the fake sachets was last legitimately produced in September 2023, stressing that the company neither manufactures nor distributes the counterfeit version.
NAFDAC highlighted key differences between the genuine and fake products: Original Cowbell Milk carries the new “Our Creamy Goodness” artwork, is creamy in texture, and features laser-printed batch details in a specific coding area. Its sachets are sealed and cut using automated processes.
Counterfeit Cowbell Milk still bears the old “Our Milk” design, uses ink-printed batch codes placed in the wrong areas, and comes in poorly sealed sachets that appear manually cut.
The agency warned that consuming the fake milk could cause serious health complications, including food poisoning, allergic reactions, organ damage, and in severe cases, death. Infants, children, pregnant women, and the elderly are at highest risk.
To protect consumers, NAFDAC has directed its zonal offices and state coordinators to step up market surveillance and mop up counterfeit Cowbell sachets from circulation.
Distributors, retailers, and consumers were also urged to purchase products only from authorised sources and carefully verify packaging details.
Consumers and healthcare providers are encouraged to report suspicious products through NAFDAC’s toll-free line 0800-162-3322, email sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng, or its e-reporting platform. Adverse health reactions can also be reported to pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng.
