NAFDAC affirms NIVEA Black & White Roll-On manufactured in Nigeria safe for consumers

*The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control says its recent investigation indicated the Nivea Black and White Roll-on deodorant manufactured in Nigeria ‘does not contain the non-compliant ingredient (BMHCA)’, and is safe for consumers

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Sequel to its investigation, Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confirmed that the NIVEA Black & White Roll- On manufactured in Nigeria is safe for consumers’ use.

ConsumerConnect reports NAFDAC position on the product is contained in the agency’s update issued on its initial Safety Alert Notification of Thursday, October 31, 2024, regarding NIVEA Black & White Invisible Roll-on deodorant (50 ml) batch number 93529610, in relation to the general European Union (EU) Rapid Alert System for Dangerous Non-Food Products (RAPEX).

Earlier, NAFDAC had alerted Nigerian consumers that the particular batch of the product in circulation in the Nigerian market was unregistered.

The agency had alerted Nigerian consumers against the use of the recalled Nivea Black & White Invisible Roll-on deodorant, 50ml labelled as providing 48-hour protection in African climates.

It also noted the caution to consumers came on the heels of a recent warning from the European Union Rapid Alert System for Dangerous non-food products in Brussels.

The health regulator said: “The recalled Nivea product is reported to contain 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl) propionaldehyde, a chemical prohibited in cosmetic products due to its potential to cause harm to the reproductive system, impair the health of an unborn child, and cause skin irritation and burns to users.”

The agency, therefore, urged product importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to prevent the importation, distribution, sale, and use of the affected Nivea Roll-on with the specified batch.

“Members of the public in possession of the affected batch should cease sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office, it added.

Black & White Nivea Roll-on deodorant manufactured in Nigeria doesn’t contain BMHCA, says NAFDAC

NAFDAC, however, in the latest update published on its official Web site November 2, 2024, confirmed the safety of the NIVEA Black & White Invisible Roll-on deodorant (50 ml) manufactured in Nigeria.

The health regulatory agency stated: “A recent investigation showed that the Black and White Nivea Roll-on deodorant manufactured in Nigeria does not contain the non-compliant ingredient (BMHCA)”, NAFDAC said in the updated alert notification.”

It is recalled that following the NAFDAC notification, Beiersdorf, manufacturers of the said product, also issued a statement, assurinh its esteemed customers that the Batch No. 93529610 in question had not been marketed in Nigeria.

The company noted that the affected batch was “never recalled by Beiersdorf, the owner of NIVEA brand, as the legal manufacturer.”

It added that the batch in question had, in fact, expired in January 2022, and was hence at the time fully compliant with the then valid European cosmetic regulation.

Beiersdorf further indicated that based on current European legislation, the use of ingredient 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl propionaldehyde (LilialTM) in cosmetic products has been banned from the European markets as of March 1, 2022.

It said: “As a responsible corporate citizen, Beiersdorf is working collaboratively with NAFDAC to safeguard the interest of the Nigerian consumers by ensuring that our locally manufactured product meets the global quality standards.”

It also stated the safety of its consumers remains its highest priority, consistent with its ethical philosophy as a business.

The company noted: “In pursuit of this commitment, Beiersdorf’s entire NIVEA product portfolio formulations have been reformulated to be Lilial-free formulas in full compliance with the EU Regulation on cosmetic products well ahead of its Lilial ban coming into effect as far back as March 1, 2022.

“For instance, the formulation of NIVEA BLACK & WHITE Invisible Roll-on deodorant has been Lilial-free since at least 2020 across the globe, including Nigeria.”

Besides, Beiersdorf disclosed it had informed its trade partners ahead of time, and reminded them of their responsibility to remove the outdated Lilial-containing products within the legal timeframe to fulfill their obligations with the European Cosmetic Product Regulation.

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