NAFDAC warns of fake Colgate toothpaste in circulation

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert over the circulation of suspected counterfeit Colgate toothpaste in Nigeria.

In a notice shared on Sunday, the agency said its Post-Marketing Surveillance Directorate received a complaint about the distribution of the products in Kaduna State, which led to an investigation.

During an inspection, officials discovered two fake products labelled “Coglaet ActivGel 100g” and “Coglaet Herbal 100g” at a retail outlet. The shop owner reportedly said the items were purchased from a door-to-door salesperson but could not provide proof of purchase.

NAFDAC warned that the products are unregistered and have not undergone the required quality and safety checks, posing potential health risks to consumers.

The agency identified the affected items as “Coglaet Crema Dental Herbal 100g” and “Coglaet ActivGel 100g,” noting that both lack batch numbers and NAFDAC registration details—key indicators of authenticity.

According to the agency, the products claim to be manufactured by a Chinese company based in Guangzhou, with production dates of August 2025 and expiry dates of August 2029.

NAFDAC said the counterfeit items have been removed from circulation, while investigations are ongoing to trace those responsible for their distribution.

It has also directed its zonal directors and state coordinators nationwide to intensify surveillance and ensure the products are completely withdrawn from the market.

The agency advised consumers, distributors, and retailers to remain vigilant and verify the authenticity of products before purchase or use.

Members of the public were urged to report any suspected counterfeit or substandard products to the nearest NAFDAC office or through its official reporting channels.