NAFDAC Raids Trade Fair, Seizes Over 10,000 Cartons of Unregistered Products

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC has confiscated more than 10,000 cartons of unregistered tomato paste and cosmetic products during a five-day enforcement operation at the Lagos Trade Fair Market.

The raid, which happened on Thursday, focused on the cosmetics section as part of ongoing efforts to safeguard public health by removing harmful and unregulated products from circulation.

Items seized included large quantities of creams, soaps, body sprays, body washes, air fresheners, toothpaste, and unregistered tomato paste brands such as Royal IV and FINARL, which were found using the same expired NAFDAC Registration Number.

NAFDAC further warned that the importation of tinned tomato paste is prohibited in Nigeria due to the availability of local production, making these consignments both illegal and unsafe.

The Director of Investigation & Enforcement, Dr Martins Iluyomade, stated that the safety of the seized products could not be guaranteed as they had not undergone NAFDAC’s regulatory review. He reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to ensuring only safe, effective, and properly registered products are available in the Nigerian market.

Investigations are ongoing, and those responsible will face prosecution.