Nigerian public warned about suspected counterfeit toothpaste products

Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert about unregistered and suspected counterfeit toothpaste products, warning of a potential health risks to consumers. 

The products attempt to replicate the Colgate brand and are apparently being found in Kaduna state.   

In a public alert, NAFDAC disclosed that its Post-Marketing Surveillance Directorate received a complaint regarding the distribution of fake toothpaste falsely associated with the Colgate brand, which is owned by the US-based Colgate-Palmolive Company. 

The fake products look almost identical to the authentic ones, except that the name is spelt ‘Coglaet’. The stated manufacturer appearing on the fake packs is a business in Guangzhou, China. 

“These products have not met the required regulatory standards for registration and quality assurance, thereby posing a potential risk to public health and safety,” NAFDAC says in a statement. It adds that investigations are ongoing to track the distributors of the unregistered and counterfeit items. 

The statement continues: “All NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been instructed to conduct surveillance and mop up the unregistered and counterfeited products if found within their zones and states. 

“Distributors, retailers and consumers are hereby advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the distribution, sale and use of counterfeit products. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.” 

Growing prevalence of fake products 

According to the Africa-focused law firm Adams & Adams, the ongoing fight against counterfeit goods in Nigeria has become a pressing issue, with the House of Representatives urging the government to declare a state of emergency in response to the growing prevalence of fake products.  

In a statement published on its website last year, the law firm notes: “The effects of counterfeiting are far-reaching, particularly in the health, safety and economic sectors, with counterfeit medicines posing a severe public health risk.” 

Adams & Adams says the issue of counterfeiting is not only a law enforcement challenge, but a matter of national security, public health and economic stability.