The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised concerns over the circulation of counterfeit toothpaste products in Nigeria, urging consumers to be cautious when purchasing oral-care products.
The warning was listed among the agency’s latest health-related developments on September 17, 2026, as regulators continue efforts to prevent substandard and falsified products from reaching Nigerian consumers.
Counterfeit toothpaste can pose serious health risks because consumers may not know the actual ingredients, manufacturing conditions or concentration of substances contained in the products. Unlike registered products, falsified items may not have undergone the required regulatory assessment before being sold to the public.
NAFDAC’s warning highlights the importance of checking products carefully before purchase, particularly because counterfeit goods can be packaged to look similar to legitimate brands.
Consumers are generally advised to purchase regulated products from reputable outlets and examine packaging for signs of tampering, unusual labelling, spelling errors or other inconsistencies. Where necessary, consumers can also verify whether a product has been registered with the relevant regulatory authorities.
The development comes amid wider concerns about the circulation of substandard consumer products in Nigeria. Regulatory agencies have continued to carry out surveillance and enforcement operations aimed at protecting consumers and ensuring that products available in the market meet required safety standards.
For households, toothpaste is an everyday product, making the issue particularly significant. Regular use of an unsafe or falsified oral-care product could expose consumers to substances that have not been properly assessed for safety.
NAFDAC’s latest alert therefore reinforces the need for consumers to pay attention to the source and authenticity of personal-care products rather than relying solely on familiar packaging or brand names.
