The Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA) has developed new
guidelines to govern importation and exportation of cosmetic products
as the nation is cited an import dumping ground.
We commend TFDA management and staff for demonstrating exemplary
leadership in fulfilling its role to protect and promote public health
by ensuring quality, safety and effectiveness of food, medicines,
cosmetics and medical devices.
While we congratulate the authority we challenge TFDA to scale up
the efforts to the district level in the future. In the same vein, we
further urge the general public to support TFDA efforts in the fight
against substandard and counterfeit medicines, drugs, cosmetics and
medical supplies through timely reporting of availability of the
products in the market.
It has come to light that during the last fiscal year (2014/15) a
total of 16 tonnes of fake, substandard or counterfeit cosmetics were
seized and destroyed by Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA).
And for the same period over 16 tonnes worth 44.2m/- of banned cosmetics were confiscated and destroyed.
This is wonderful effort but the fight against illegal imports must
continue. It is no longer news to mention here that the local market is
flooded by highly dangerous and offensive cosmetics all of which must
be flushed out.
The most worrisome scenario is the stark reality that fresh imports
keep streaming in, mostly through smuggling routes. Indeed, it is
becoming increasingly impossible to stop smugglers in this nasty ploy.
Profits made from counterfeit make-ups are simply overwhelming.
Nevertheless, users should be aware that most fake cosmetics can be
highly toxic and potentially dangerous. Well, this is the shocking flip
side to the shadowy world of counterfeit cosmetics.
Cheaper imitations are flooding the Tanzanian market and many look
quite legitimate. Incredibly, these products, which are hefty money
spinners for greedy traders, can be deadly.
Many have been found to contain ingredients that at best irritate
the skin and which could, in the worst cases, cause permanent damage to
both the body and the brain.
The worst cosmetics on the local market often contain a cocktail of
potentially harmful ingredients ranging from lead, copper and mercury
to arsenic and cadmium, a metal which is highly dangerous.
Worryingly, there is a conspicuous rise in the number of women with
skin conditions triggered by the use of counterfeit make-up. Even the
uninitiated can easily see badly bleached skin.
Some effects include serious skin conditions that can cause cancer.
And this is not all. In fact, counterfeit cosmetics can trigger rashes
and eye infections as well as more serious conditions such as lead
poisoning, which can ruin major organs, causing problems for the heart,
kidneys and nervous system.
Unwitting users of counterfeit, fake or substandard cosmetics
should be aware that some of these products can lead to an early grave.
This situation prevails because Tanzania’s punishment for importers
who shunt in offensive goods is weak as a deterrent. To make it
deterrent the magnitude of the punishment needs to be scaled up.
So, the judiciary should come down hard on offenders. There is also
a need to undertake vigorous surveillance to curb unofficial border and
sea routes (often called ‘panya routes’ to reduce illegal imports).
Together let us combat sub-standard and counterfeit products to protect our health.SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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