The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has uncovered banned, counterfeit and unregistered cosmetic products worth over N3 billion in a warehouse located at the APT Trade Fair Complex in Lagos State.
The agency disclosed on Sunday that the facility, concealed within an unfinished building, was allegedly being used as a distribution hub to evade regulatory detection.
1,400 Cartons of Banned Soaps Recovered
Among the items seized were 728 cartons of Crusader soap, 718 cartons of E45 soap and large quantities of Extract Gold whitening soaps brands previously prohibited by the Federal Government over safety concerns.
Officials also discovered assorted perfumes, body oils and cooking oils stored in the facility.
NAFDAC said the products have been placed on hold pending further regulatory assessment, adding that the entire consignment has been evacuated to prevent circulation in the market.
The warehouse manager has been invited for questioning as investigations continue.
The agency warned that the sale and use of banned and unregistered cosmetic products pose significant health risks, including skin damage and exposure to hazardous chemical substances.
It reiterated that offenders would face prosecution under relevant laws, stressing that the concealment of the warehouse inside an uncompleted structure underscores the increasingly sophisticated tactics employed by operators in the illicit trade.
NAFDAC urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious storage facilities or sales outlets dealing in regulated products to the nearest agency office.
The latest operation comes amid intensified enforcement actions by the agency.
Earlier in February, NAFDAC announced the seizure of over 10 million doses of fake malaria drugs and cosmetic products valued at about N3 billion from another warehouse within the Trade Fair Market axis of Lagos.
During that operation, officials uncovered injectable anti-malarial drugs, antibiotics and banned pharmaceutical products , some prohibited in Nigeria for nearly 15 years , stored inside a three-storey building disguised as a spare parts warehouse.
In a related development, the agency recently sealed 18 warehouses in Bida, Niger State, where expired food and beverage products valued at over N100 million were discovered.
The items included non-alcoholic beverages, dairy products, bottled water, candies and pasta stored in facilities around Ndazabo White House along Minna Road and behind Bida Modern Market.
Growing Concern Over Cosmetic Influx
NAFDAC has repeatedly expressed concern over the influx of harmful cosmetic products into the Nigerian market, warning that unchecked distribution could have grave public health consequences.
The agency maintained that it would sustain nationwide surveillance and enforcement operations to protect consumers and sanitise the market.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
