The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has detained 4,504 unregistered, counterfeit and potentially hazardous cosmetic products during a week-long nationwide market surveillance exercise aimed at protecting public health.
The operation, led by the FDA’s Regional Operations Directorate (ROD), was conducted across all 15 regions of Ghana. Inspection teams visited supermarkets, cosmetic shops and other retail outlets to identify and remove unregistered cosmetic products from the market.
According to the Authority, the exercise specifically targeted cosmetic products containing harmful substances such as hydroquinone and steroids, which pose significant health risks when used without proper regulation and medical supervision.
The FDA said the surveillance forms part of its ongoing efforts to safeguard consumers from unsafe and substandard products while ensuring that only registered and approved cosmetics are available on the Ghanaian market.
Hydroquinone and steroid-containing cosmetic products have long been associated with serious health complications, including skin damage and other adverse effects resulting from prolonged or inappropriate use.
The Authority urged consumers to remain vigilant when purchasing cosmetic products and to verify that products have been duly registered by the FDA before use.
It also encouraged the public to report suspected counterfeit or unregistered products to the Authority to support efforts to eliminate unsafe products from the market.
The FDA reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing regulatory standards and intensifying market surveillance to protect the health and safety of the public.
