The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has raised alarm over the circulation of counterfeit toothpaste products falsely branded as Colgate, warning that they may pose serious health risks to consumers.
In a public notice released on Sunday via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the agency disclosed that the alert followed a complaint received by its Post-Marketing Surveillance Directorate regarding the sale of suspicious toothpaste products in Kaduna State.
NAFDAC said enforcement officers conducted an inspection at the reported sales outlet, where two products labelled “Coglaet ActivGel 100g” and “Coglaet Herbal 100g” were discovered.
“The products were identified as suspected counterfeits and are not registered with NAFDAC,” the agency said.
“They have not undergone the required regulatory checks for quality, safety, and efficacy, and therefore pose a potential risk to public health.”
According to the agency, the shop owner claimed the items were purchased from a door-to-door vendor but could not provide any documentation to verify the source of supply.
Further investigations revealed that the products—also identified as “Coglaet Crema Dental Herbal 100g” and “Coglaet ActivGel 100g”—did not carry batch numbers or NAFDAC registration details, which are mandatory for approved products in Nigeria.
NAFDAC noted that the counterfeit items were labelled as being manufactured by a Chinese firm, Guangzhou YECAI Oral Cleaning Products Co., Ltd., with a listed production date of August 2025 and an expiry date of August 2029.
“The absence of traceable batch numbers and registration information is a major red flag,” the agency stated. “Consumers should avoid using such products as their safety cannot be guaranteed.”
The regulatory body confirmed that the fake toothpaste has been confiscated from circulation, adding that efforts are ongoing to track down distributors and prevent further spread.
NAFDAC has also directed all zonal directors and state coordinators nationwide to intensify surveillance and remove any remaining counterfeit products from the market.
“We urge distributors, retailers, and consumers to remain vigilant and ensure that all products purchased are genuine and properly registered,” the agency advised.
Consumers were encouraged to report any suspected counterfeit or substandard products to the nearest NAFDAC office or through its official communication channels, including its hotline and email platforms.
Healthcare professionals and members of the public were also advised to report any adverse reactions linked to the use of such products through NAFDAC’s reporting systems, including its Med-Safety mobile application.
The agency reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public health and warned that anyone found involved in the distribution of counterfeit products would face regulatory sanctions.
