NAFDAC raids USD 334K counterfeit cosmetics hub in Lagos Military Barracks
These multifaceted enforcement, regulatory, and public education efforts are crucial for safeguarding Nigerian consumers from counterfeit cosmetic products that pose a threat to health and safety.
NIGERIA – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) recently busted an illegal cosmetics manufacturing lab inside a military barracks market in Lagos, seizing counterfeit products valued at over ₦500 million (USD 334,000).
The counterfeiters were reproducing containers and refilling them with fake creams and lotions, exploiting the trust associated with military mammy markets to sell these dangerous products that pose significant health risks.
Several illegal production centres were found, along with chemicals, expired products, and packaging materials intended for counterfeit cosmetics production.
NAFDAC confiscated the fake goods and manufacturing equipment to stem the distribution of harmful, unregulated products and protect public health in Nigeria.
Penalties for producing counterfeit cosmetics in Nigeria include criminal prosecution under the NAFDAC Act, with offenders liable to imprisonment, fines, or both upon conviction.
Previously, a manufacturer convicted of producing counterfeit cosmetics was sentenced to fifteen months’ imprisonment without the option of a fine.
NAFDAC also has the authority to seize and destroy counterfeit and unregistered cosmetics.
These legal actions are part of the agency’s firm commitment to curbing the manufacture and sale of fake products that can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, burns, infections, and serious health harm.
Consumers can identify counterfeit beauty products by checking for suspiciously low prices, spelling or grammatical errors on packaging, blurry or low-quality printing, missing or fake batch numbers and expiry dates, unusual smells or textures, and the absence of safety seals or tamper-proof packaging.
Advanced verification methods include scanning for QR codes or NFC chips that authenticate the product using brand-specific apps.
If products lack these indicators or appear inconsistent compared to official items, they are likely counterfeit and unsafe to use.
To prevent future occurrences, NAFDAC employs several measures, including enforcement raids on illegal production sites, seizures of counterfeit goods, public awareness campaigns that warn consumers about risks, and the use of technology such as handheld scanners (TruScan devices) for on-the-spot detection of fake products.
NAFDAC urges consumers to purchase cosmetics only from reputable retailers and to report suspicious products or sellers.
The agency also continually works on regulatory measures and collaborations with law enforcement to disrupt counterfeit networks and safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s cosmetics market.
Recently, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Nigeria’s primary federal competition regulator, launched a QR code traceability system to combat the growing issue of counterfeit cosmetics.
This initiative, developed in coordination with a Joint Inter-Agency Committee, aims to transform the way consumers verify product authenticity while enhancing regulatory oversight in the personal care sector.
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