NAFDAC impounds fake bleaching creams, soaps

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has impounded fake and substandard fast moving skin lightening cream, bathing soaps as well as serum worth millions of naira in Lagos, even as it sealed three shops in connection with the products.

The suspected fake products identified as Q7 Range of cosmetics products impounded during the agency raid and enforcement exercise at the Lagos Trade Fair complex includes,Q7 Whiteniser body milk strong treatment, Q7 Carotte Multi- active Whitening Serum, Ndak Q7 Whitening body lotion with manufacturing dates: 07/2015 and expiry dates: 06/2020 and Q7 Gold soap among others.

According to a statement by NAFDAC Enforcement Operations Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Anslem Okonkwor, the impounded products originally registered with NAFDAC were said to have been brought into the country through yet-to-be identified illegal sources.

The bubble, however, busts when intelligence and surveillance by NAFDAC confirmed the presence of the products in some shops and warehouses at the market complex.

The statement quoted the team leader and Chief Regulatory Officer, Enforcement Operations, Mr.Joseph Idowu, as saying that the raid became necessary following intelligence reports on the presence of the products in the market.

Idowu said:“We are removing from the market Q7 range of products suspected to be fake.The agency had registered Q7 range of products with NAFDAC numbers on them.But from what we are seeing from the products evacuated, you can observe that NAFDAC number is not on them and they are coming from unauthorised sources.”

He disclosed that in conjunction with the original brand owners of the products, NAFDAC would continue to mop up the fake products wherever they are found.

On the health implications of the products, the enforcement officer who regretted that the products could be injurious to health, said: “Any product not registered and tested by NAFDAC has not been certified to be fit for consumers.These products contain injurious substances that are harmful to the skin. And if allowed into the market, people will be buying products that can cause health hazards to them”.