The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has issued a public alert over the circulation of suspected counterfeit toothpaste products in Nigeria, warning consumers against two Chinese-made items designed to pass as the popular Colgate brand.
According to NAFDAC, The alert, Public Alert No. 022/2026 followed a complaint received by NAFDAC’s Post-Marketing Surveillance Directorate about the distribution of an unregistered and suspected counterfeit Colgate toothpaste in Kaduna State. Upon investigation, a team of PMS officers visited the retail outlet and discovered two products, branded as “Coglaet ActivGel 100g” and “Coglaet Herbal 100g,” available for sale.
The products mimic Colgate packaging but carry no valid NAFDAC registration number or batch markings. Both list Guangzhou YECAI Oral Cleaning Products Co. Ltd, China, as the manufacturer, with production dates of August 2025 and expiry dates extending to August 2029.
The shop owner informed investigators that the products were purchased from a door-to-door sales representative, but could not provide any proof of purchase. The items were subsequently removed from the outlet, and investigations are ongoing to track the distributors of the counterfeit products.
NAFDAC stressed that the products have not met the required regulatory standards for registration and quality assurance, and may pose a potential risk to public health and safety.
All NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to conduct surveillance and mop up the products across their respective zones and states. Distributors, retailers, and consumers are advised to exercise caution, carefully verify the authenticity of products before purchase, and report any suspicious items to the nearest NAFDAC office, via its toll-free line or by email at sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.
