NIVEA Reacts As NAFDAC Warn Nigerians About Its “Black & White Invisible Roll On Deodorant”

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

NAFDAC recently advised Nigerians against using the Nivea Black & White Invisible Roll-on deodorant (50ml), citing a recall issued by the European Union’s Rapid Alert System for Dangerous Non-Food Products.

NAFDAC identified the affected batch as 93529610, which contains 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl) propionaldehyde, a substance banned in cosmetics due to health concerns, including risks to reproductive health, unborn children, and potential for skin irritation.

The agency noted that the recalled product, produced in Germany, was designed for 48-hour protection and carries the barcode 42299882.

Reacting in a statement on Saturday, NIVEA representative clarified that this specific batch (93529610) was never sold in Nigeria.

The company stated that the batch expired in January 2022, when it still complied with the European cosmetic regulations valid at that time.

Beiersdorf emphasized that they are working with NAFDAC to protect Nigerian consumers, ensuring that locally manufactured products meet global standards.

The company also highlighted that it had already removed LilialTM from all NIVEA products well before the EU ban took effect on March 1, 2022.

It explained that the NIVEA Black & White Invisible Roll-on deodorant has been Lilial-free since 2020 worldwide, including in Nigeria.

Beiersdorf assured that trade partners were informed in advance to remove any Lilial-containing products within the legal timeframe to meet European regulatory standards.

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.”

KanyiDaily recalls that NAFDAC previously alerted Nigerians on the circulation of unwholesome Sprite 50cl glass bottles in the country.