NAFDAC raises alarm over unsafe Dove products, substandard Juhel folic acid tablets

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a critical warning to Nigerians about the circulation of certain Dove soap and deodorant products, stating that these items may pose serious health risks.

The alert comes following a recent ban imposed by the European Union on specific Dove products for containing a hazardous chemical ingredient.

In a public alert (No. 018/2025) released on Monday by its Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, NAFDAC disclosed that the affected products include Dove Exfoliating Hand Soap (100g) and various Dove deodorant variants that have been banned in Brussels, Belgium.

The regulatory crackdown follows laboratory tests that confirmed the presence of 2-(4-tert-butylbenzyl) propionaldehyde (BMHCA)—a substance banned in cosmetics within the EU due to its potential to harm the reproductive system, endanger unborn children, and cause skin sensitization.

According to the agency, four specific variants of the affected Dove products were identified. Three of them were manufactured in Italy, while the fourth was produced in the United Kingdom. NAFDAC emphasized that none of the flagged items are registered in its product database, indicating they may have been imported illegally.

NAFDAC reiterated Nigeria’s existing trade restrictions on cosmetic soaps, noting that importation of such products is currently prohibited, and they are among the items ineligible for foreign exchange allocation.

“The public is hereby warned not to use, sell, or distribute these unregistered Dove products. Anyone in possession of them should immediately stop usage and submit the products to the nearest NAFDAC office,” the agency urged in its statement.

Furthermore, healthcare professionals and consumers are encouraged to report any adverse reactions or incidents related to the use of these products. Reports can be submitted via email at [email protected], through the E-reporting platform at www.nafdac.gov.ng, or using the Med-safety app on Android and iOS devices.

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In a related development, NAFDAC also issued a product recall alert involving Juhel Folic Acid 5mg x 1000 tablets after the product was deemed substandard. The issue was discovered during a Risk-Based Post Marketing Surveillance (PMS) operation carried out in February 2025.

Laboratory tests revealed that the tablets contained inadequate levels of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), falling short of the required potency necessary for effective treatment. According to a root cause analysis conducted by the manufacturer, Juhel Pharma Ltd., the defect was linked to a malfunction in the weight adjuster device of its tableting machine during production.

Consequently, the company has initiated a recall of batch number 0531 and is working closely with NAFDAC to remove the defective products from circulation.

NAFDAC has warned that consumption of substandard medications can result in treatment failure, drug resistance, poisoning, and in severe cases, death.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public health and called on all stakeholders—including distributors, pharmacies, and healthcare providers—to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or non-compliant products.