Nigeria’s drug regulatory agency, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has warned the public about the circulation of suspected counterfeit Colgate toothpaste in parts of the country, raising fresh concerns about consumer safety.
The agency disclosed that the alert followed a complaint received by its Post-Marketing Surveillance Directorate regarding the distribution of unregistered toothpaste products in Kaduna State. This prompted an immediate investigation, during which officials discovered fake variants being sold in local outlets.
According to NAFDAC, the counterfeit products were identified as “Coglaet ActivGel 100g” and “Coglaet Herbal 100g” names deliberately designed to mimic genuine Colgate branding and mislead unsuspecting buyers. The products reportedly lacked essential regulatory details such as valid registration numbers, raising serious red flags about their authenticity and safety.
The agency stressed that these items have not undergone required quality checks and may pose significant health risks to consumers. As a result, the products were immediately removed from circulation at the point of discovery, while efforts are ongoing to trace and apprehend those behind their distribution.
NAFDAC also revealed that the shop owner where the products were found claimed they were sourced from a door-to-door supplier, but could not provide proof of purchase further highlighting the informal and unregulated channels through which counterfeit goods often enter the market.
In response, the agency has urged Nigerians to exercise caution when purchasing toothpaste and other personal care products, advising consumers to verify authenticity before use. It also encouraged the public to report any suspected fake or substandard products through its official channels.
Post a Comment