The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has confiscated 4,504 unregistered and counterfeit cosmetic products during a nationwide market surveillance exercise aimed at removing potentially harmful products from circulation.
The week-long operation, led by the Authority’s Regional Operations Directorate, covered 15 regions and targeted supermarkets, cosmetic stores, and other retail outlets suspected of selling unapproved beauty products.
According to the FDA, the exercise led to the seizure of thousands of cosmetic products that had either not been registered with the Authority or were suspected to pose health risks to consumers.
The Authority said many of the detained products are believed to contain prohibited substances, including hydroquinone and steroids, which have long been linked to serious health complications. Prolonged use of such ingredients can result in severe skin damage, permanent discolouration, and other adverse health effects.
The FDA noted that the operation forms part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen regulatory compliance and prevent unsafe cosmetic products from reaching the market. It added that sustained surveillance and enforcement remain critical to safeguarding public health.
The Authority has therefore urged consumers to buy cosmetic products only from licensed outlets and to verify that products have valid FDA registration before purchasing or using them.
