The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued an urgent warning over the illegal circulation of 5,000 cartons of expired Lara Force Lambda-Cyhalothrin 2.5% (1 litre, Batch Xzh2020006), a commonly used agricultural insecticide.
In a public alert (No. 025/2025) issued on Thursday, the agency disclosed that the product, which expired on 7 March 2023, had been unlawfully auctioned to various third-party buyers, prompting concerns for both farmers and consumers.
Lara Force Lambda-Cyhalothrin 2.5% is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide widely employed in pest control and agriculture, with a typical shelf life of two to three years from the date of manufacture, depending on storage conditions. NAFDAC’s investigation revealed that the expired stock posed “significant dangers”, including diminished potency due to degradation of the active ingredient, which could result in poor pest control and increased resistance among pests.
The agency further warned that use of the expired insecticide could lead to “higher toxicity, potentially causing skin and eye irritation” and environmental hazards such as “harm to beneficial insects and contamination of water sources”. It added that the product’s physical instability could also clog sprayers or lead to uneven application, “compounding the risks” to users and the environment.
NAFDAC said: “We urge the public to exercise caution and avoid using this expired insecticide, as it poses serious health and environmental risks. We are actively investigating the unauthorised auction and will take appropriate action to ensure public safety.”
Healthcare professionals and members of the public have been encouraged to report any suspected sales of the expired product or other substandard and falsified agro-chemicals to the nearest NAFDAC office, via the toll-free number 0800-162-3322, or by emailing sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.
NAFDAC stressed that the warning underscores “the importance of vigilance in preventing the use of compromised products that could undermine agricultural productivity and endanger public health”.
