NAFDAC Seizes Over 10,000 Cartons of Fake Tomato Paste and Cosmetics in Lagos
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NAFDAC Seizes Over 10,000 Cartons of Fake Tomato Paste and Cosmetics in Lagos |
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confiscated more than 10,000 cartons of unregistered tomato paste and cosmetic products during a major enforcement operation at the Lagos Trade Fair Market.
According to the agency, the five-day operation was carried out by NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate in the cosmetics section of the market.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Martins Iluyomade, Director of Investigation and Enforcement at NAFDAC, explained that the raid was part of ongoing measures to remove harmful and unregistered products from Nigerian markets.
“We seized over 10,000 cartons of unregistered tomato paste and various cosmetic products, including creams, soaps, body sprays, body washes, air fresheners, and toothpaste. These products have not undergone regulatory scrutiny, and their safety cannot be guaranteed,” Iluyomade stated.
He further stressed that removing unsafe goods from circulation is vital in preventing public health risks, noting that fatalities from substandard medicines, cosmetics, and food items exceed those caused by terrorist attacks in the country.
Strengthening Regulatory Surveillance
Iluyomade also revealed that a newly inaugurated multi-agency task force will boost NAFDAC’s nationwide surveillance against substandard medicines and unsafe processed foods.
In addition, the agency’s partnership with the Nigeria Customs Service has strengthened border control to prevent falsified and unregistered items from entering Nigeria.
“Through our memorandum of understanding with the Nigeria Customs Service, we are preventing the influx of fake products. The Customs Service has handed over numerous seized counterfeit goods to us, and we have also transferred some cases to them,” he explained.
Call to Action for Manufacturers and Importers
NAFDAC is urging Nigerian manufacturers and importers to take advantage of its decentralised registration process to verify and register their products before placing them on the market.
The agency reiterated its commitment to eradicating unregistered, substandard, and expired products to safeguard the health of Nigerians.
For more details on NAFDAC’s latest enforcement actions and guidelines, visit the NAFDAC official website.
