The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, yesterday impounded fake and substandard fast moving skin lightening cream, bating soaps as well as serum worth millions of Naira in Lagos even as it sealed three shops in connection with the offensive products.
The fake products identified as Q7 Range of products impounded during the Agency’s raid exercise at the Lagos Trade Fair complex includes; Q7 Whiteniser body milk strong treatment, Q7 Carotte Multi- active Whitening Serum, Ndak Q7 Whitening body lotion with manufacturing dates: 07/2015 and expiry dates: 06/2020 and Q7 Gold soap among others.
The impounded products originally registered with NAFDAC by ‘Visible Image Cosmetics Nigeria Limited’, were said to have been brought into the country through yet to be identified illegal source. The bubble however busted when the company petitioned NAFDAC about the presence of the offending products in some shops and warehouse at the Trade Fair market complex.
Addressing journalists shortly after the raid exercise, the Chief Enforcement Officer, Mr. Idowu confirmed that the operation became necessary following reports by Visible Image Cosmetics Nigeria Limited about the presence of the offending products in the markets. Joseph noted that already the Agency has evacuated the alleged injurious products and sealed the shops as well as invited the shop owners for further interrogations.
He further explained that the products, were impounded because they were unregistered and from illegal source. “We are removing from the market Q7 range of products suspected to be fake. The agency had registered Q7 range of products with NAFDAC numbers on them from what we are seeing from the products evacuated, you can see that NAFDAC number is not on them and they are coming from unauthorised source.
Joseph said “We have given them invitation to report on Monday and have sealed the shops. We expect them to tell us how and where they get the products from. As soon as the owners opened up, we will send the products to the laboratory for further analysis to ascertain the genuineness of the products after which the agency will take a decision.
He disclosed that following the petition of the original brand owners of the products, NAFDAC would continue to mop up the products anywhere it was found.
On the health implications of the products, Joseph who regretted that the products could be injurious to health said: “Any product registered and tested by NAFDAC has been certified to be fit for consumers. These products contain injurious substances that are harmful to the skin; and if allowed into the market people will be buying products that can cause health hazards.
He regretted that despite the enlightenment campaigns, consultative meetings, sensitisation workshops and other methods adopted over the years to discourage importation, distribution, sales and consumption of these products, people continued to engage in such business.
The Enforcement officer, asked for the cooperation of members of the public to assist to expose the major importers and distributors of these outlawed products and their warehouse.
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