Fake Colgate toothpaste floods market, NAFDAC warns.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public warning over the circulation of unapproved and potentially counterfeit toothpaste products being falsely presented as genuine Colgate items.

The alert follows the discovery of suspicious products during routine surveillance activities in Kaduna State. Regulatory officials, acting on a complaint, traced the items to a retail outlet where two questionable products labelled “Coglaet ActivGel 100g” and “Coglaet Herbal 100g” were found. Preliminary findings suggest that these products are imitations designed to resemble authentic brands.

According to the agency, the retailer claimed the products were sourced from a door-to-door distributor but was unable to provide any documentation or proof of purchase. This lack of traceability has raised further concerns about the origin and distribution network of the items.

NAFDAC noted that the products failed to meet mandatory regulatory requirements, including proper registration and quality certification. As a result, they are considered unsafe and pose a potential risk to public health. The agency emphasized that counterfeit personal care products may contain harmful substances or fail to meet hygiene standards, which could lead to adverse health effects.

Further inspection revealed that the items, also identified as “Coglaet Crema Dental Herbal 100g” and “Coglaet ActivGel 100g,” lacked critical identification features such as batch numbers and official NAFDAC registration codes. Although the labels claimed they were manufactured by a company based in Guangzhou, China, the absence of verifiable regulatory approval makes the claims unreliable.

The suspected counterfeit products have since been removed from circulation, and investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for their distribution. Authorities are also expanding surveillance efforts nationwide to prevent similar products from entering the market.

NAFDAC has directed its zonal and state offices to intensify monitoring and enforcement operations, particularly in open markets and retail outlets. The agency reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public health by ensuring that only approved and quality-assured products are available to consumers.

Members of the public, as well as wholesalers and retailers, have been advised to remain vigilant. Consumers are encouraged to carefully examine product packaging, verify registration details, and avoid purchasing items from unverified sources. Any suspicious or substandard products should be reported promptly to the appropriate authorities.

Healthcare professionals and consumers are also urged to report any adverse reactions linked to the use of such products through official reporting channels, as part of efforts to strengthen safety monitoring and response systems.