Certain Dove soap and deodorant products are being circulated in Nigeria, which has alarmed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), which warns that using them could seriously harm consumers’ health. NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate released a public alert on Monday, revealing this information.
The European Union authorities have prohibited the marketing and sale of Dove Exfoliating Hand Soap (100g) and several Dove deodorant products in Brussels, Belgium, following confirmation of the inclusion of a prohibited substance, as per NAFDAC’s Public Alert No. 018/2025.
According to NAFDAC’s release: “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is notifying the public that European Union Authorities have placed a ban on the marketing and sale of Dove Hand Soap (100g) and Dove Deodorant in Brussel, Belgium. The products do not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation as they are said to contain 2-(4- tert-butylbenzyl) propionaldehyde (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 sensitization,” it added.
In the notice, four product variations were mentioned, with three of them coming from Italy, and the fourth one was made in the UK. The following products are impacted: Dove Men + Care Silver Control Spray (150ml) (United Kingdom), Dove Invisible Dry (Italy), Dove Exfoliating Hand Soap (Italy), and Dove Deo Go Fresh (50ml) (Italy).
Continuing, it was stressed by NAFDAC that its official database does not contain any of the products mentioned. The country’s restricted and import prohibition list further reaffirmed that soap imports are forbidden in Nigeria. Furthermore, things that are considered ineligible for importation into Nigeria with foreign exchange include soaps and cosmetics.
BrandSpur national news desk reports that the agency advised retailers, distributors, importers, and customers to refrain from handling or disseminating certain products that have not been authorised. Anyone who has any of the impacted Dove varieties is encouraged to stop using them immediately and turn them into the NAFDAC office that is closest to them.
Additionally, NAFDAC urged the public and medical professionals to report any adverse reactions through the Med-safety app on iOS and Android, the E-reporting portal on www.nafdac.gov.ng, or by email at pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng.
