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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has issued a public warning following the discovery of suspected counterfeit toothpaste products circulating in parts of the country, raising concerns about consumer safety.
In a statement released on Sunday, the agency revealed that its Post-Marketing Surveillance Directorate received a complaint regarding the sale of unregistered toothpaste products in Kaduna. This prompted an immediate investigation by its enforcement team.
During an inspection at a retail outlet, officials uncovered two suspicious products branded as “Coglaet ActivGel 100g” and “Coglaet Herbal 100g.” Further checks also identified similar items labelled “Coglaet Crema Dental Herbal 100g,” all of which are believed to be counterfeit versions of the popular Colgate toothpaste.
According to NAFDAC, the retailer claimed the items were supplied by a door-to-door sales agent but could not provide any documentation or proof of purchase to verify their source.
The agency stressed that the products failed to meet the necessary regulatory requirements for registration and quality assurance, warning that they may pose serious health risks to consumers.
“These products have not met the required regulatory standards and therefore present potential dangers to public health and safety,” the agency stated.
Further findings revealed that the counterfeit items lacked essential identifying features such as valid batch numbers and NAFDAC registration details. The packaging also indicated that the products were manufactured by a Chinese firm, Guangzhou YECAI Oral Cleaning Products Co., Ltd, with production dates listed as August 2025 and expiry dates set for August 2029—details the agency considers suspicious.
NAFDAC confirmed that the identified products have since been confiscated and removed from circulation. Investigations are ongoing to track down those responsible for distributing the items and prevent further spread in the market.
To strengthen enforcement, the agency has directed all zonal directors and state coordinators across Nigeria to intensify surveillance and ensure the complete withdrawal of the counterfeit products from circulation.
It also urged consumers, distributors, and retailers to exercise caution by carefully checking product labels, packaging, and authenticity before making purchases or using such items.
Members of the public have been advised to report any suspicious or substandard products to the nearest NAFDAC office or through its official communication channels.
The warning highlights the growing concern over counterfeit consumer goods in Nigeria and underscores the need for increased vigilance to protect public health.
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