The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has taken decisive action by shutting down three cosmetics shops and conducting raids on several others in Lagos for engaging in the illegal sale and stocking of unregistered products.
The targeted shops were selling cosmetics under the "Dr. Teal's" brand. Following a complaint from the trademark holder regarding potential counterfeit products, NAFDAC seized samples for laboratory testing to verify the safety and authenticity of these products.
The enforcement unit of the Agency conducted a raid on the cosmetics section of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex and other prominent cosmetics shops in the Egbeda and Ikeja areas of Lagos.
Acting on a tip-off from concerned citizens, the team cracked down on two suspected shops at the trade fair complex, issuing invitation letters to the absent shop owners and sealing some of the premises.
During the operation, some shop managers and supermarket owners claimed to possess documentation supporting the legitimacy of their products and pledged to provide the necessary evidence.
Mr. Ishildi Sunday, the Chief Regulatory Officer of NAFDAC's Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, emphasized the importance of product registration, stating that any regulated product lacking a NAFDAC registration number is considered fake.
The affected shops will undergo necessary sanctions for selling, manufacturing, or distributing unregistered products, with the possibility of administrative penalties amounting to N5 million for violators, as per NAFDAC's stipulated tariff.
The enforcement team's efforts focused primarily on the "Dr. Teal's" brand to address the issue at hand efficiently. Several unregistered products, including shower gels, oils, and lotions, were confiscated during the raids.
Mr. Ushadari Kayam, Assistant Director of Investigation and Enforcement at NAFDAC, reiterated the agency's warnings to shop owners regarding the sale of unregistered, fake, or adulterated products.
