NAFDAC Flags Fake ORACIRE+ ToothpasteThe National Agency for Food and Drug

Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a strong public warning over the widespread circulation of a suspected counterfeit toothpaste branded ORACIRE+ that is being sold across Nigeria as if it were the genuine, registered ORACARE+ product.

The alert, designated Public Alert No. 041/2026, follows a formal complaint combined with market intelligence reports pointing to extensive distribution of the fake item. Surveillance teams subsequently confirmed the problem at Ojuwoye Market in Mushin, Lagos, one of the city’s busiest informal trading centres. Officials found that the packaging design and overall presentation of ORACIRE+ closely mirror those of the authentic ORACARE+ toothpaste manufactured by Aspira Nigeria Limited, making it extremely difficult for ordinary buyers to tell the two apart at a glance.

According to the agency, the manufacturer of the suspected counterfeit remains unknown. Its origin, exact composition, safety profile and quality standards have not been verified. NAFDAC stressed that counterfeit personal-care products frequently fail to meet established regulatory requirements and may therefore expose users to health risks ranging from oral irritation to more serious systemic effects, depending on the unknown ingredients.

In response, the agency has directed all zonal directors and state coordinators nationwide to intensify surveillance, locate stocks of the product and take immediate regulatory action. The move signals that the problem is not regarded as confined to Lagos but could already have reached other parts of the country.
Consumers, distributors, retailers and healthcare providers have been urged to exercise heightened caution. NAFDAC advises the public to buy toothpaste only from reputable and authorised outlets, to scrutinise packaging carefully and to verify the source of supply before purchase. Any suspicion of the sale of ORACIRE+ should be reported promptly to the nearest NAFDAC office, by calling the toll-free line 0800-162-3322, by emailing sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng, or through the Med Safety App available on both Android and iOS platforms.

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The genuine ORACARE+ brand, introduced by Aspira Nigeria Limited, has been on the market for several years and is formulated to provide long-lasting freshness and protection against tooth decay. The near-identical name and look of the counterfeit version represent a classic tactic used by producers of substandard goods to ride on the reputation of established products.

This latest warning comes against a backdrop of continued NAFDAC action against counterfeit oral-care items, including earlier alerts on unregistered products mimicking well-known international brands. The agency has repeatedly emphasised that only products that have undergone proper registration and quality checks should reach Nigerian consumers.
Members of the public who experience any adverse reaction after using a toothpaste they suspect may be fake are also encouraged to report the incident through the same channels or via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng so that the agency can investigate further and protect the wider community.

NAFDAC’s message is clear: vigilance at the point of purchase remains the strongest defence against products whose safety cannot be guaranteed.