Fake Toothpaste Destroyed

Two container loads of counterfeit 'Close Up' toothpaste imported from China in April were destroyed by the Anti Wicit Trade Coalition (AITC) at the Kpone Landfill site. The containers were declared as carrying television sets destined for Burkina DFaso but inspection showed that it was counterfeit close-up toothpaste.

AITC is made up of officials of Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), Food and Drugs Board (FDB) the Police and the Trade Mark Owners.

Briefing the press about the destruction exercise, Mr Kwaku Boateng, Customer development Director of Unilever Ghana Limited, said it was ordered by the court to protect the health of consumers and the image of the trademark owners.

He said early this year the company had a tip off that some people had placed an order with a Chinese factory to make fake close up toothpaste for shipment to Ghana.

He said Unilever, therefore, relayed the information to the AITC who were placed on high alert.

He said Unilever being the registered trademark owner of close up toothpaste makes red close up for the Ghanaian market and green close up for French West Africa as part of its corporate strategy.

Mr Boateng said in April the AITC seized the two 20 footer containers after inspection showed that they were stuffed with the fake green close up toothpaste at the Tema Port.

According to him the case was sent to the court which ordered the destruction of the consignment.

He said nobody had claimed ownership of the goods.