Beiersdorf Nivea Consumer Product Nig. Ltd has said that the “NIVEA Black & White Invisible” deodorant with batch number 93529610 that was recently flagged by NAFDAC was never marketed in Nigeria.
The clarification came after NAFDAC issued a safety alert on October 31, 2024, regarding the product’s ban in European markets due to harmful chemical content.
In a press release signed by Chidiebere Onuorha, senior consultant at Chain Reaction Africa, the company explained that the batch containing “2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl propionaldehyde (BMHCA)” expired in January 2022, long before the European Union’s March 2022 ban on the ingredient known as Lilial™ in cosmetic products.
The company said at the time of production, the batch fully complied with then-valid European cosmetic regulations.
Quoting Onuorha, “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“Our trade partners were informed ahead of time and reminded of their responsibility to remove the outdated Lilial-containing products within the legal timeframe to fulfill their obligations with the European Cosmetic Product Regulation.”