A public alert released by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Monday indicates that Dove Hand Soap (100g) and Dove Deodorant are harmful to users’ reproductive systems and, ultimately, unborn children.
The alert followed a ban on these specific products by the European Union (EU), according to NAFDAC’s public alert 018/2025.
There were four variants of the products, three of which were produced in Italy and the last one was produced in the United Kingdom.
| S/N | Product Name | Batch Number | Barcode Number | Country of Production |
| 1 | Dove Exfoliating Hand Soap | – | 8710447439227 | Italy |
| 2 | Dove Deo Go Fresh (50ml) | 9212174 | 96137130 | Italy |
| 3 | Dove Invisible Dry (50ml) | 9183646 | 96022313 | Italy |
| 4 | Dove Men + Care Silver Control Spray (150ml) | 62867LD | 8712561255820 | United Kingdom |
“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,” Nigeria’s food and drug regulator said in a statement.
The agency maintains an import prohibition list, which contains a broad list and description of products ineligible for entry into Nigeria.
NAFDAC said that the concerned products were not on its database, urging stakeholders throughout the supply chain to be more cautious in their trade.
“Importation of soaps is prohibited in Nigeria as per the restricted and import prohibition list. Beyond the import restrictions, soaps and cosmetics are part of the items ineligible for foreign exchange to import in Nigeria,” the statement further read.
“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 the stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.”
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