Firms raise alarm over fake beauty products
Beauty products manufacturers and dealers have raised the alarm over the growing number of counterfeits.
Unable to distinguish between genuine and fake products, consumers are falling prey of sub-standard goods which pose a health risk.
As a result, manufacturers are recording huge losses and have now appealed to the government to be vigilant.
PZ Cussons East Africa’s managing director Dimitris Kostianis said they have been forced to develop safety measures to reduce the impact of counterfeits and substandard products on its brands.
He admitted that the counterfeits were a major problem to many manufacturers as they cause losses for genuine producers and also deny the government revenues.
He spoke during the prize presentation of the just concluded Venus Rembesha Msupa Ushinde promotion.
Shameer Walji, director of Beauty Options – a beauty shop on Kimathi Street – also said competing with counterfeits outlets was the main challenge that legit beauty shops were facing.
Shops selling fake products were well known but state agencies mandated to counter the problem were not closing them down or prosecuting them, he added.
He cited lack of consumer awareness as another reason why such shops continued to thrive.
To counter the problem, he urged the Government to educate the public beginning at the grassroots.