Counterfeit Always-brand sanitary pads are being peddled on the local market, says the authorised distributor for the brand ANSA McAL.
ANSA McAL Trading’s Managing Director Beverly Harper yesterday announced that the company has discovered two imitations of the pads on the market. One is called “Alwags,” while the other is not easily recognisable. However, she said they were able to identify the product by the colour of the packaging. The genuine product is packaged in blue while the counterfeit product is contained in a green package.
She stated that the counterfeit pads contained some sort of a gel, which could be harmful for users. She said the genuine product does not contain the gel. “I don’t know who makes these or bring it. It is very scary and upsetting,” she said.
Harper said samples of the counterfeit products were sent to Procter and Gamble Company for tests.
She also noted that the Food and Drug Department was doing its best remove the fake products off the market. “We can guarantee the quality of our products,” she said, noting that some of their retailers were deceived into believing that the counterfeit products were genuine.
She further stated that many imitations of Procter and Gamble products were coming into the country, including imitation Ariel cleaning agent, special edition Pringles’ ‘Pringooools,’ and Lucozade. She said the imitation Ariel product is packaged in Spanish while the ones ANSA McAL is distributing is packaged in English. Though imitations are not illegal, she said, it is better to purchase products directly from the authorised distributor.
She warned that imitation products coming into the country pose the risks of expiration and counterfeiting.
However, she said consumers are fooled into believing that these are ANSA McAL-distributed products, especially when the company is engaged in promotions.
Presently, the company has a promotion for the upcoming FIFA world Cup competition, where consumers are given a chance to win televisions and a car.
Recently, counterfeit Head and Shoulders, Pantene Pro V and Olay Total Effects 7 in 1 products surfaced on the market.
Harper had said that the counterfeiting of these cosmetic products could possibly cause long term damage to the reputations of the brands.
The fake products are believed to be sold in prominent supermarkets across the country. An analysis conducted by Procter and Gamble and shown to Stabroek News, revealed that even though the products appeared to be identical, they were counterfeit.
Director of the Food and Drug Department Marlon Cole said that they were working to remove all of these fake products off the market and stop their importation.
