The Senate on Tuesday adopted a resolution asking the National Agency for Foods and Drug Administration to investigate the procedures in place for the certification of quality and safety of cosmetics and propose a way forward for accountability.
The resolution followed a motion, “need for the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to move swiftly to regulate formulation and distribution of cosmetics” sponsored by Senator Oluremi Tinubu representing Lagos Central Senatorial district.
Tinubu in the lead debate noted that the quality and standard of cosmetic products fall within the responsibility of NAFDAC, noting that the nation has been saturated with substandard products thereby posing hazards to users.
The trend, she said, was attributed to the proliferation of small and medium enterprises and businesses whose stock in trade is the formulation of beauty products which ranges from lotions to oils, scrubs and soap, with many labelled handmade.
She insisted that the products must pass through toxicology tests and be certified for safety before they are released for sales.
Worried that it is impossible to determine that hygiene, quality assurance and good manufacturing practices are adhered to in the formulation of these processes, contributing, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani representing Enugu East Senatorial district said NAFDAC must protect users of cosmetics by ensuring standard.
He pointed out the magic of advertisers who tend to convince people through their adverts through the public media, saying that only approved cosmetic products should be allowed to be advertised.
Senator Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe in his explanation allayed fears that cosmetic or any other chemical has a devastating effect on the body, hence, regulation of cosmetic and similar products must be taken seriously.
He said most of the traditional medicine and herbs are not licensed, saying NAFDAC has a lot to do to sanitise the system.
Senator Ladi Daadu’t explained the dangers of unregulated production of sachet and table water. She said production of water was the least monitored and unregulated products.
After a similar contribution from Senator Mathew Urhogide, the Senate sustained the prayers directing NAFDAC to rise to its duty.
