The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public warning to Nigerians, advising against the sale and use of certain Dove-branded cosmetic products that have been banned in the European Union due to serious health risks.
In a public alert released on Saturday, titled “Alert on the Ban of Dove Hand and Deodorant Soap due to Butylphenyl Methylpropional Contamination,” NAFDAC disclosed that the affected products contain a chemical substance known as 2-(4-tert-butylbenzyl) propanaldehyde, also called Butylphenyl Methylpropional (Lilial). The agency warned that this ingredient is associated with reproductive toxicity, including the potential to harm unborn children, and is known to cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Affected Products Identified
NAFDAC listed the following Dove products as unsafe:
- Dove Exfoliating Hand Soap (Barcode: 8710447439227)
- Dove Deo Go Fresh 50ml (Batch Number: 9212174)
- Dove Invisible Dry 50ml (Batch Number: 9183646)
- Dove Men + Care Silver Control Spray 150ml (Batch Number: 62867LD)
The agency confirmed that these products are not registered in its database, raising additional concerns about their legality and safety in the Nigerian market.
Regulatory Background
NAFDAC emphasized that the importation of soaps into Nigeria is officially prohibited, citing the nation’s import restriction policies. Additionally, cosmetic products such as these are ineligible for foreign exchange funding, further limiting their legal availability in the country.
Advisory to the Public
NAFDAC called on all importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers to exercise maximum caution:
“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 products,” the statement read.
The agency also urged anyone in possession of these products to discontinue use immediately and surrender them to the nearest NAFDAC office.
Commitment to Safety
NAFDAC reiterated its commitment to public health and safety, urging consumers to report any adverse reactions or suspicious products through official channels, including the agency’s website, the Med Safety mobile app, or local NAFDAC offices.
This alert comes as international regulatory bodies increase scrutiny on cosmetic ingredients linked to long-term health effects, with several products already withdrawn from European markets.
For further information or to report affected products, consumers can visit www.nafdac.gov.ng.
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