NAFDAC bans Dove Beauty Cream Bar Soap due to its harm to reproductive system

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is alerting the public about the recall of Dove Beauty Cream Bar Soap (100g) with batch number 81832M 08, produced in Germany, due to chemical impurity.

According to NAFDAC’s Public Alert No. 035/2024, the product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation as it is said to contain Butylphenyl Methylpropional (BMHCA) which is prohibited in cosmetic products due to its risk of harming the reproductive system, causing harm to the health of an unborn child and may cause skin sensitisation. As a result, a ban on the marketing of the product has been placed by some regulatory and public authorities, in the EU.

Product details

The details of the product are as follows.

• Product Name: Dove Beauty Cream Bar Soap
• Product Brand: Dove
• Country of Manufacture: Germany
• Bar Code Number: 8000700000005
• Category: Cosmetics

Product Photo

Other Dove cosmetic products recalled/banned in other countries due to Presence of Butylphenyl Methylpropional are as follows;

“Importation of soaps is prohibited in Nigeria as per the restricted and import prohibition list. Beyond the import restrictions soaps and cosmetics are parts of the items ineligible for foreign exchange to import in Nigeria.

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“These products are also not available in the NAFDAC database. 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 stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

“Healthcare professionals and consumers are encouraged to report adverse events experienced with the use of regulated products to the nearest NAFDAC office, via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng, E-reporting platforms available at www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med-safety application for download on Android and iOS stores.”

Meanwhile, a statement from Dove’s website, read: “Lilial (also known as butylphenyl methylpropional or BMHCA) was a synthetic ingredient widely used in beauty products to create a floral fragrance. Lilial is now banned for use in cosmetics, however, we removed this ingredient from all of our formulas before the ban came into force.”