NIVEA reacts as NAFDAC warn Nigerians about ‘invisible roll on’

Beiersdorf Nivea Consumer Products Nig. Ltd has reassured customers of its product’s safety following an alert from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

According to reports, NAFDAC had previously warned Nigerians against using the recently recalled Nivea Black & White Invisible Roll-on deodorant (50ml).

The recall follows a similar alert from the European Union Rapid Alert System for Dangerous Non-Food Products.

In an official statement released on Thursday, NAFDAC identified the affected batch number as 93529610.

The agency highlighted concerns over the presence of 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl) propionaldehyde, a chemical banned in cosmetic products due to its potential health risks, including reproductive harm, risk to unborn children, and skin irritation or burns.

NAFDAC noted that the recalled product, which promises 48-hour protection, is manufactured in Germany and carries the Bar Code Number 42299882.

In a statement released on Saturday, NIVEA media consultant confirmed that the product with Batch No. 93529610 has not been marketed in Nigeria.

It said the product expired in January 2022 and was hence at the time fully compliant with the then valid European cosmetic regulation.

The statement read: “NIVEA Black & White Invisible Roll On Deodorant Batch No. 93529610 Not On Sale in Nigeria

“We have been made aware of a safety alert notification issued by NAFDAC (National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control) in Nigeria issued on 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). The batch is said to contain 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl propionaldehyde (BMHCA).

“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.

“We wish to assure our esteemed customers that the Batch No. 93529610 in question has not been marketed in Nigeria and thus never recalled by Beiersdorf, the owner of NIVEA brand, as the legal manufacturer. The batch in question, in fact, expired in January 2022 and was hence at the time fully compliant with the then valid European cosmetic regulation.

“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.

“The safety of our consumers remains our highest priority, consistent with our ethical philosophy as a business.

“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.

“Our trade partners were informed ahead of time and reminded of their responsibility to remove the outdated Lilial-containing products within the legal timeframe to fulfill their obligations with the European Cosmetic Product Regulation.”