The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public health warning against the use of certain Dove-branded cosmetic products, citing serious risks to reproductive health and skin safety.
In a statement released on Monday titled Public Alert No. 018/2025, NAFDAC disclosed that four variants of Dove hand soap and deodorants have been found to contain 2-(4-tert-butylbenzyl) propionaldehyde (BMHCA), a chemical banned in the European Union. The substance is associated with reproductive toxicity, potential harm to unborn children, and skin sensitisation.
The affected products include:
NAFDAC noted that these products are not registered in its database and are therefore unauthorised for sale or distribution in Nigeria. The agency further emphasized that the importation of soaps is prohibited under Nigeria’s import prohibition list, and such items are ineligible for foreign exchange access through official markets.
“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 alert read.
NAFDAC urged members of the public in possession of any of the flagged items to immediately discontinue use or sale and submit remaining stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.