The Digest:
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a warehouse stocked with banned, counterfeit, and unregistered cosmetic products valued at over N3 billion at the APT Trade Fair Complex in Lagos State. The facility, concealed within an unfinished building, was allegedly used to evade regulatory scrutiny while distributing products. Seized items include 728 cartons of Crusader soap, 718 cartons of E45 soap, and quantities of Extract Gold whitening soaps, brands previously banned by the federal government due to safety concerns. Assorted perfumes, body oils, and cooking oils were also recovered. The warehouse manager has been invited for questioning. NAFDAC warned that banned and unregistered cosmetics pose serious health risks, including skin damage and exposure to harmful chemicals. The operation follows a recent seizure of over 10 million doses of fake malaria drugs and cosmetics valued at N3 billion from the same Trade Fair area.
Key Points:
- The N3 billion seizure prevents dangerous products from reaching consumers.
- It exposes sophisticated concealment methods used by illegal operators.
- Consumers avoid health risks, while traffickers face prosecution.
- This signals NAFDAC's intensified crackdown on banned cosmetic imports.
- The timing, following recent raids, shows sustained enforcement.
Sources: Premium Times, NAFDAC
