- Safiu Kehinde
The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised alarm over presence of unregistered children bleaching soap.
As contained in a public notice issued on its official website on Monday, NAFDAC alerted Nigerians against the use of the brand identified as ‘Fair Child Soap’ following complaint regarding the unethical marketing and use of skin-lightening products among minors.
The unregistered product which turned to be imported with proposed plan to commence local production was discovered by the Lagos PMS Directorate during routine post-market surveillance activity.
According to the agency, the soap targeted at children and marketed with deceptive and misleading labeling is being sold in multiple retail outlets across Lagos.
NAFDAC however disclosed identifying and sanctioning the marketer of the product, Lexmart Cosmetics Limited.
“At a consultative meeting with the marketer (Lexmart Cosmetics Ltd). It was confirmed that the product is imported, with plans for local manufacturing.
“Due to this discovery, the company has been sanctioned and instructed to stop further distribution as the product is not authorized for distribution in Nigeria and does not fall under the scope of a validly registered product with NAFDAC.” The statement partly read.
NAFDAC warned of the potential health hazards attached to the usage of the product which include skin damage or sensitivity, exposure to harmful or banned substances, and long-term dermatological effects.
“The sale of unregistered products poses a public health risk as they have not been evaluated by NAFDAC for safety, quality, or effectiveness. As a result, there are no guarantees regarding their safety.
“Given the skin-lightening claims and the target demographic of children, there is a significant potential for serious health hazards, including skin damage or sensitivity, exposure to harmful or banned substances, and long-term dermatological effects.” It explained.
In the wake of the discovery, the agency had since charged all its zonal directors and state coordinators to carry out immediate surveillance, identify and quarantine Fair child Soap where found.
Samples of the product are to be collected and submitted for laboratory analysis with findings reported for onward briefing to the Director General (NAFDAC).
While vowing to mop up the cosmetic products marketed for children especially skin-lightening soaps within the zones and states, NAFDAC urged distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the distribution, sale, and use of the unregistered product.
It maintained that all medical products must be obtained from authorized/licensed suppliers with the products’ authenticity and physical condition carefully checked.
Healthcare professionals and consumers were also advised to report any suspicion or sale of unregistered, substandard, and falsified products (medicines or medical devices) to the nearest NAFDAC office on 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.