The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed an unlicensed cosmetic production facility in Lagos for manufacturing skin-lightening products marketed as “organic” but deemed unsafe for public use.
NAFDAC said its enforcement team closed the premises of Shine Shine Skincare in the Agege district following an inspection that uncovered substandard production practices.
The agency reported that a range of unregistered products was being produced at the site, including Peeling White Scrub, Glass Scrub Wash, Antiaging Radiant Glow, 10X Customized Native Soap, 5D Instant Whitening Soap, Yellow Tone Whitening Body Cream, Exfoliation Soap and Customized Body Cream.
According to NAFDAC, the items were manufactured without approval and in violation of good manufacturing practice requirements.Investigators found that the products were deceptively labelled and often contained ingredients associated with unsafe levels of banned substances.
These include corticosteroid-based bleaching agents, which are prohibited in cosmetic formulations due to documented health risks.
Prolonged use of such substances can result in skin thinning, delayed wound healing and increased susceptibility to infection or injury, the agency said.
NAFDAC warned that the proliferation of unregistered cosmetic products in the market poses a significant public health risk.
It urged consumers to verify the regulatory status of cosmetic and personal care items before purchase and to report suspicious products to its offices nationwide.
The agency added that further investigations into the facility are underway.
Regulatory sanctions and legal actions will be taken against those responsible, in line with Nigerian law governing the manufacture and sale of regulated products.