The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians about counterfeit Cowbell milk sachets currently being sold in parts of the country.
According to the agency, the producers of Cowbell, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, confirmed that the fake 12g sachets are packaged to look almost identical to the original product, using the company’s name, logo, and even a forged registration number. Promasidor noted that the design seen on the fake milk was last used in 2023 and is no longer in circulation.
Identifying the real vs fake
NAFDAC explained that the genuine Cowbell milk has a creamy texture, carries the new “Our Creamy Goodness” design, and comes with batch numbers done with laser printing. The sealing and cutting are neat and machine-made.
In contrast, the counterfeit version uses the old “Our Milk” design, has batch numbers printed in ink, misplaced coding, and poorly sealed edges done manually.
Possible health dangers
The agency cautioned that consuming the counterfeit product could expose people to dangerous substances and lead to food poisoning, allergic reactions, organ damage, or even death. It warned that children, pregnant women, older adults, and infants are particularly at risk.
Next steps
NAFDAC has instructed its officers nationwide to track down and remove the fake products from circulation. It also urged traders and consumers to be vigilant, buy from trusted sources, and report suspicious products or side effects to NAFDAC through its hotlines or online platforms.
