NAFDAC Uncovers Massive Warehouse of Banned and Counterfeit Cosmetics Worth N3 Billion in Lagos
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has made a significant breakthrough in its fight against unsafe consumer goods, uncovering a warehouse stocked with banned, counterfeit, and unregistered cosmetic products valued at over N3 billion in Lagos State.
Warehouse Hidden in Uncompleted Building at Trade Fair Complex
According to an official statement released by NAFDAC on its X platform, the storage facility was discovered at the APT Trade Fair Complex and was cleverly concealed inside an uncompleted building. This discovery came as part of the agency's ongoing enforcement operations aimed at curbing the circulation of hazardous consumer products that threaten public health.
The agency revealed that the confiscated items included substantial quantities of prohibited products, specifically 728 cartons of Crusader soap, 718 cartons of E45 soap, and numerous Extract Gold whitening soaps. These particular products have been officially banned by the Federal Government due to serious safety concerns and potential health risks to consumers.
Additional Products Recovered and Warehouse Manager Questioned
Beyond the banned soaps, NAFDAC officials recovered a variety of other products from the warehouse, including:
- Assorted perfumes
- Various body oils
- Multiple cooking oils
All these items have been placed on hold pending comprehensive regulatory checks to determine their compliance status with Nigerian safety standards. To prevent these potentially dangerous products from entering the market, all seized goods have been evacuated from the premises.
NAFDAC has confirmed that the warehouse manager has been formally invited for questioning as investigations continue into this massive operation. The agency emphasized that the sale and use of banned or unregistered cosmetic products could pose significant health risks to unsuspecting consumers.
Public Alert and Ongoing Enforcement Efforts
The regulatory body has issued a strong warning to the public about the dangers of using unapproved cosmetic products and has urged Nigerians to remain vigilant. NAFDAC has specifically requested that members of the public report any suspicious activities or questionable products to the nearest NAFDAC office to support ongoing enforcement efforts across the country.
This discovery comes at a time when NAFDAC has been particularly active in consumer protection. The agency recently alerted Nigerians about unsafe Indomie noodles products that were being recalled in France due to undeclared allergens. Additionally, the Nigeria Customs Service recently transferred a container of expired raw materials worth N36.5 million to NAFDAC after intercepting the goods during routine cargo checks at the Kirikiri terminal in Lagos.
The continued vigilance of regulatory agencies like NAFDAC remains crucial in protecting Nigerian consumers from potentially harmful products that could compromise public health and safety.
