FDA Seizes Over 4,500 Fake Cosmetics in Nationwide Sweep for Harmful Hydroquinone

The Food and Drugs Authority’s Regional Operations Directorate has detained 4,504 unregistered, fake and potentially hazardous cosmetic products following a week-long market surveillance exercise across 15 regions of Ghana.

The FDA teams inspected supermarkets, cosmetic shops and retail outlets to protect consumers from the hidden dangers of unregistered products containing harmful hydroquinone and steroids.

The Authority said the massive exercise forms part of its ongoing efforts to remove unsafe cosmetics from the market and safeguard public health.

The detained products were found to lack FDA registration and were deemed potentially hazardous due to the presence of hydroquinone and steroids, ingredients known to cause skin damage, discolouration, and other health complications when used without medical supervision.

The Authority reiterated that only registered cosmetics that meet safety standards are approved for sale and use in Ghana.

The Regional Operations Directorate said it will continue intensified market surveillance nationwide to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and to protect consumers from dangerous products.

It has urged the public to check for FDA registration numbers on cosmetic labels and to report any suspected unregistered or harmful products to the nearest FDA office.

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