Accra, Dec. 30 GNA - The Food and Drugs Board (FBD) on Tuesday warned that a fake brand of Tura Germicidal Medicated Soap is being offered for sale in the Okaishie Cosmetics Area in Accra.

The fake brand contains a banned substance, mercuric iodide, a bleaching agent that has the potential to cause skin cancers. This is stated in its accompanying leaflet and has been confirmed by the Food and Drugs Board Quality Control Laboratory.

In a statement, Mr Karl Tufuoh, Head of Commercial Department of FDB, said: "This brand does not have a batch number, expiry date and date of manufacture.

Forewin Ghana Limited is the importer of the original brand, which is registered with the Board, contains triclosan, an approved ingredient for medicated soaps. It also has a batch number, expiry and manufacturing dates and safe for use.

The FDB has, therefore, asked the general public to desist from patronizing the fake product that contains mercuric iodide adding that it was making efforts to withdraw the fake products from the market.