Nigerian authorities seize counterfeit products

Nigeria's National Agency for Foods, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has swooped on dealers of counterfeit products at the Balogun Business Association market at its extension in the International Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, Lagos. The traders lost an estimated half a billion naira ($4 million) worth of goods to the agency when its enforcement team stormed the market unexpectedly.

By the time NAFDAC operatives left the market, a staggering consignment of various unregistered cosmetic products from agents and manufacturers said to be based in China had emerged, forming a large heap.

A popular beauty product, Neutrotone Cream (White Moon) made almost 50 percent of the total seizure. The original product has a NAFDAC accreditation number while the similarly packaged copy, thought to originate in China, is not registered with the regulatory body.

The market which is described as the hotbed of cosmetic product faking. A NAFDAC official said only such moves would protect consumers from exposure to harmful products as well as protect the manufacturers, importers, dealers and other lawful persons from the effects of the fakers' fraud.

Daily Sun