The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has refuted claims that it approved a herbal tea purportedly marketed as beneficial for smokers.
In a statement issued on Monday, the agency described the circulating claim as false and misleading, urging the public to disregard a viral video suggesting its endorsement of Lung Detox Tea or Lungitox (Smokers Pride).
NAFDAC clarified that the product is not registered with the agency and has never been approved. An application for a product labelled “anti-smoke and lung detox tea” was submitted to its Lagos State Office in 2023 but was rejected after the applicant failed to provide scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness. The product was never resubmitted for further evaluation.
The agency stressed that all items under its regulatory purview, whether food, drugs, cosmetics or herbal remedies, must undergo stringent scientific evaluation to ensure safety, efficacy and quality.
It added that herbal products are not permitted to make therapeutic claims unless such claims are backed by clinical trials, in line with regulatory guidelines.
NAFDAC also criticised the product’s packaging, citing the use of organ imagery as a breach of labelling rules that could mislead consumers into accepting unverified medical claims.
Responding to bribery allegations made in the viral video, NAFDAC said that while such accusations are often ignored, the matter had been referred to its Legal Services Directorate for possible legal action.
The agency encouraged members of the public to report unregistered or suspicious products through its website, toll-free lines or designated email addresses.
Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to public safety.
“Our regulatory decisions are driven by science and the protection of public health. We will never compromise on the well-being of Nigerians,” she said.
