The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians over Bulmex Parboiled Rice after Niger Republic banned its importation over metallic contamination.
The agency, in Public Alert No. 034/2026, said the notification followed information received from the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Niger Republic, urging heightened market surveillance to stop the product from entering Nigeria through cross-border trade.
The ban followed an investigation and regulatory oversight carried out by the Agadez Regional Directorate of Commerce and Industry in Niger Republic.
The investigation found iron debris in the rice, prompting authorities in the neighbouring country to halt its importation and distribution after determining that the product was unsafe for human consumption.
NAFDAC said Bulmex is recognised mainly as a brand of Indian parboiled rice and Pakistani long-grain rice.
The agency identified Karam Food Grains Private Limited, Paragon Commodities Limited, and Imoro Brunya/Sulemana Imoro Distribution Company as the key suppliers linked to the product.
NAFDAC stated that the rice is reported to be imported and sold across parts of Africa, especially Nigeria and the Republic of Niger.
“It is important to note that the availability of Bulmex parboiled rice in the Nigerian market, as claimed, has not yet been confirmed,” the agency said.
The regulator said it issued the public alert to strengthen surveillance and prevent the possible circulation of the affected rice through cross-border trade.
NAFDAC urged members of the public to report any suspected sale of substandard, falsified or counterfeit regulated products to the nearest NAFDAC office.