Ruth Kadiri Raises Alarm Over Suspected Fake Products, Calls on NAFDAC

Nollywood actress and filmmaker Ruth Kadiri has called on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, to step up efforts against the circulation of suspected fake, contaminated and unsafe consumer products in Nigeria.

In a video shared on Instagram, Kadiri expressed concern over the safety of food, drinks, medicines, cosmetics and household products purchased daily by Nigerians. She said many consumers buy such items believing they are safe, only to later fear that they may be poorly produced, contaminated or counterfeit.

“This is not just a business problem. It’s a threat to human life,” Kadiri said.

Concern Over Children and Medicines

Kadiri said she was particularly worried about the possible impact of unsafe products on children and people relying on medication.

She questioned what could happen when a sick person buys medicine from a pharmacy in the hope of recovering but unknowingly receives a product that may be ineffective, counterfeit or unsafe. She also raised concerns about children reportedly experiencing kidney-related health problems.

However, the actress’s comments about particular illnesses should be treated as concerns rather than confirmed medical findings. A direct link between a product and a specific illness can only be established through medical assessment, laboratory testing and regulatory investigation.

NAFDAC has similarly warned that claims made online cannot, on their own, prove that a food, drug or consumer product is counterfeit, adulterated or unsafe. The agency says credible complaints should be investigated and scientifically verified before conclusions are drawn.

Actress Shares Garlic Experience

Kadiri also recounted an experience involving garlic she bought and blended at home.

According to her, she briefly stepped away after blending the garlic and returned to find that its colour had changed. The experience heightened her concerns about the quality of certain food products available to consumers.

Still, a change in the colour of blended garlic alone does not prove that the product was fake or contaminated. Food can change colour for several reasons, and a laboratory examination would be needed to determine whether there was any safety concern.

Kadiri used the incident to encourage Nigerians to be more cautious about the products they buy and consume.

‘It Is a We Problem’

The actress argued that counterfeit and substandard products should not be seen only as an individual consumer problem.

“It’s not just a buying problem. It is a we problem,” she said.

Kadiri urged Nigerians to speak up when they notice suspected fake products being produced or sold in their communities, rather than ignoring the issue.

She also appealed directly to NAFDAC to strengthen its monitoring, inspections and enforcement efforts.

“NAFDAC, please pay attention to the lives of Nigerians,” she said.

NAFDAC’s Position

NAFDAC has acknowledged public concerns about counterfeit, adulterated and substandard goods, but it has urged Nigerians to avoid relying solely on social-media claims.

In September, the agency said allegations involving suspected fake or adulterated food products must be backed by proper investigation and scientific verification. It also reported removing 7,210 suspected fake, substandard and non-compliant regulated products during a nationwide surveillance operation.

The agency has also issued product alerts over specific suspected counterfeit goods. In April, reports said two unregistered toothpaste products—“Coglaet ActivGel” and “Coglaet Herbal”—were discovered in Kaduna State. The products reportedly lacked NAFDAC registration numbers, batch numbers and verifiable manufacturer details.

What Consumers Can Do

Kadiri’s message highlights the importance of consumer vigilance, while also stressing that suspected cases should be reported through appropriate channels for investigation.

Consumers can take practical precautions by:

• Checking expiry dates, seals, batch numbers and product labels before purchase.
• Looking for a valid NAFDAC registration number on regulated products.
• Avoiding products with suspicious packaging, unusual odour, damaged seals or unclear manufacturer details.
• Keeping receipts and packaging where a product is suspected to be unsafe.
• Reporting suspected counterfeit, substandard or adulterated products to NAFDAC rather than relying only on social-media posts.

Kadiri’s appeal has added to the growing public pressure for stronger consumer protection. Her central message is that fake and unsafe products can affect anyone, and preventing harm requires action from regulators, manufacturers, sellers and the public.

source: Dailypost, gistreel