NAFDAC Warns Public Over Fake Colgate Toothpaste in Circulation

NAFDAC Warns Public Over Fake Colgate Toothpaste in Circulation

FELICIA ONAH, Abuja

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has raised alarm over the distribution of suspected counterfeit toothpaste products in parts of the country, cautioning Nigerians to be vigilant.

The agency disclosed the development in a public notice shared on its official X platform, stating that the alert followed a complaint received by its Post-Marketing Surveillance Directorate concerning suspicious products in Kaduna State.

According to NAFDAC, an inspection team traced the items to a retail outlet where two variants; labelled “Coglaet ActivGel 100g” and “Coglaet Herbal 100g” were found on sale.

“The shop owner informed the team that the products were purchased from a door-to-door sales representative; however, no proof of purchase was provided,” the agency said.

It added that the products failed to meet regulatory requirements, noting that they lacked proper registration and quality assurance, thereby posing potential health risks to consumers.

Further checks revealed that the items bore no batch numbers or NAFDAC registration details, raising red flags about their authenticity.

The products were reportedly branded as being manufactured by a Chinese firm, Guangzhou YECAI Oral Cleaning Products Co., Ltd, with production dates of August 2025 and expiry dates of August 2029.

NAFDAC said the suspected counterfeit toothpaste has since been withdrawn from circulation, while investigations are ongoing to track those responsible for their distribution.

The agency has also directed its zonal directors and state coordinators nationwide to intensify surveillance and ensure that similar products are identified and removed from the market.

It urged consumers, distributors, and retailers to exercise caution by verifying the authenticity of products before purchase or use.

Members of the public were advised to report any suspected counterfeit or substandard items to the nearest NAFDAC office or through its official communication channels, including a toll-free line and email.

Healthcare professionals and consumers were equally encouraged to report any adverse reactions linked to such products using the agency’s reporting platforms.

The warning comes amid ongoing efforts by NAFDAC to curb the spread of fake and substandard goods, which continue to pose significant risks to public health.