The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has warned Nigerians about a fake soap being sold in the market, labeled as “Dettol Health Fresh Soap.”
In an alert on its website on Thursday, NAFDAC said the manufacturer of Dettol products, Reckitt Benckiser Nigeria Limited, confirmed that there is no product by that name in their lineup.
“The Marketing Authorisation Holder and manufacturer (Reckitt Benckiser Nigeria Limited) of Dettol Antiseptic products, received a consumer complaint regarding the above-mentioned product. The product was reported to have caused skin irritation to the complainant,” NAFDAC explained.
The company confirmed that the “Dettol Health Fresh Soap” is fake and does not belong to their brand. Dettol products are widely trusted in Nigeria for hygiene and household disinfection to prevent illnesses caused by germs.
NAFDAC noted that no further details about the fake soap were provided, except for its name. The agency emphasized that the illegal sale of fake products can harm people’s health, as these products do not meet safety, quality, or efficacy standards.
NAFDAC has instructed its zonal directors and state coordinators to carry out surveillance and remove the fake soap from stores if found.
NAFDAC also advised the public to be careful when buying products and to make sure they are from licensed suppliers. “The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked,” it warned.
People are encouraged to report any suspicious or fake products to NAFDAC through their hotline at 0800-162-3322 or by email at [email protected].
Any side effects from these products can also be reported through NAFDAC’s E-reporting platform or the Med-safety app, available on Android and iOS.
