The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians to avoid some Dove-branded cosmetic products, which were outlawed by the European Union due to their health hazards.

NAFDAC issued a public alert on Saturday titled, “Alert on the Ban of Dove Hand and Deodorant Soap due to Butylphenyl Methylpropional Contamination.”

The agency stated that the identified products contained a substance named 2-(4-tert-butylbenzyl) propanaldehyde, suggested to be able to harm an unborn child and cause skin reactions.

A list of the products includes Dove Exfoliating Hand Soap (barcode 8710447439227), Dove Deo Go Fresh 50ml (batch number 9212174), Dove Invisible Dry 50ml (batch number 9183646), and Dove Men + Care Silver Control Spray 150ml (batch number 62867LD).

NAFDAC claimed that the blacklisted Dove-branded products are not in its registered database, following the country’s official import restriction, including soaps.

The agency said, “Importation of soaps is prohibited in Nigeria as per the restricted and import prohibition list. Beyond the import restrictions, soaps and cosmetics are part of the items ineligible for foreign exchange to import in Nigeria.”

The agency further warned market operators in Nigeria against stocking or selling the products.

It added, “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.”

“Members of the public in possession of the product should discontinue the sale or use and submit the stock to the nearest NAFDAC office,” it advised.

Restating its commitment to public health safety, NAFDAC urged healthcare consumers to report any observed complaints linked to the use of cosmetic products through its reporting platforms. (Peoples Gazette, but headline rejigged)