THE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert on the recall of Nivea BLACK & WHITE Invisible Roll-on deodorant, with batch number 93529610.
The recalled product, Nivea BLACK & WHITE Invisible Roll-On, 50ml, bar code 42299882, was flagged by the European Union’s Rapid Alert System for Dangerous Non-Food Products (RAPEX) due to concerns over hazardous chemicals that may endanger consumers.
In a statement released on Thursday, October 31, NAFDAC disclosed that the deodorant contains 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl) propionaldehyde (BMHCA), a chemical prohibited in cosmetics for its potential to harm reproductive health, impair fetal development, and cause skin irritation and burns.
NAFDAC further urged distributors, retailers, and consumers to discontinue the sale and use of the product and submit any stock in their possession to the nearest NAFDAC office.
The agency also cautioned against importing any soap products to Nigeria, noting that importation of soaps is prohibited in the country.
“Importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers are advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of the above-mentioned Nivea Roll-on with the affected batch.
“Members of the public in possession of the affected batch of product should discontinue the sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office,” the statement added.
NAFDAC, therefore called on healthcare professionals and the public to remain vigilant, asking them to report any adverse reactions linked to unregulated products through its pharmacovigilance platform or the Med-safety app available for download.
This was coming barely two months after the regulatory body also alerted the immediate recalling of Dove Beauty Cream Bar Soap (100g) by European Union regulatory bodies following the discovery of a harmful chemical content in the product.
The soap, produced in Germany and sold under batch number 81832M 08 and bar code 8000700000005 was found to contain Butylphenyl Methylpropional (BMHCA), a substance banned in cosmetics due to its potential health risks.
NAFDAC in a statement released September 9, said they had issued a public alert on August 30, 2024, warning that BMHCA, which is prohibited under the Cosmetic Products Regulation, poses serious risks, including reproductive harm and skin sensitisation.
It noted that the authorities in the European Union have already taken action to ban the product.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: umustapha@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M