UNBS finds dangerous expired cosmetics on sale

By Carol Kasujja

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has discovered 280 cartons of expired cosmetics worth Sh30m, confiscated from stores at Sir Apollo Kaggwa Road, Old Kampala.

The cosmetics were in cartons labelled Sivop Parfums and Cosmetiques and the tins inside were of Caro-light brand with expiry dates of 12/2014, 01/2015, 02/2015 and 03/2015.

The Carol Lights cosmetics contained the prohibited ingredients such as hydroquinone, mercury compounds and lead compounds which are dangerous to use.

“Our surveillance team received information that some people were transporting expired cosmetics from a warehouse along Sir. Apollo Kaggwa Road, to an unidentified location. The team asked the informant to follow the vehicle to its destination. We got to the warehouse where the expired cosmetics where being offloaded Sunday,” said Barbara Kansime, the UNBS spokesperson.

The house where the expired cosmetics were found being offloaded and stored belonged to Nagasha Eve, a resident of Bunamwaya.

Unfournately, when members of the UNBS team went to inform and involve the area Police, Nagasha, the suspect disappeared.

“Most expired commodities are sold in the small retail shops in the low income areas where buyers lack information and buy without first checking the expiry date. When we finally get Nagasha, we are going to prosecute her for the importation, storage and offering for sale of dangerous products containing prohibited ingredients,” said Jamesons Ssewanyana, the UNBS Surveillance Officer.

Ssewanyana says that these days people involved in these vices work at night, distribute in the wee hours of the morning and by day break everything is in order.  He says UNBS plans to start working at night to counter the illegal activities.

“We are calling upon the public to stay away from cheap products sold on the streets. Most of them are dangerous to their health,” he warned.