NAFDAC seals cosmetic shops in Lagos, seizes counterfeit products

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed more than five cosmetic shops in the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex for “selling fake products”.

Speaking with journalists, Ishidi Sunday, chief regulatory officer of NAFDAC investigation and enforcement directorate, said the agency’s focus during the raid was the Dr. Teal’s brand.

He said with the help of men known as ‘the pointers’, the enforcement team was able to locate two of the suspected shops — Shop 158 and Shop 159 at the Excellent Line.

“We’re here today on this operation in respect of the complaint we received in the office on alleged faking or counterfeiting of Dr. Teal’s range of cosmetic products from the registered trademark owner and the market authorisation holder,” NAN quoted Sunday as saying.

“Technically, any regulated product that does not have NAFDAC registration number is considered fake.

“As it is, any product that is not registered, we cannot vouch for the quality and safety of the use of this product by the general public.

“The shops will be unsealed after administering our necessary stipulated sanctions.

“We have sanctions for sale, manufacture or distribution of unregistered products.

“There are a lot of health challenges associated with  the use of fake cosmetic products, depending on the bleaching agents or the active ingredients in that particular cosmetic.

“Take for instance, if a cosmetic product contains mercury  which is a bleaching agent, the person will develop freckles — red-dark patches on the skin, that will eventually lead to skin cancer.

“Some of them, like hydroquinone, NAFDAC allows only certain percentage; but when it is in excess, it becomes a threat to the skin.

“You know, skin toning has to do with inhibiting the enzyme that produces melanin that gives us natural pigmentation.

“So, what the compound does is inhibit the activities of these enzymes that convert phenylalanine, which is a precursor to melanin that gives us skin pigment, from being active, leading to toning or bleaching of the skin.”