By Joke Kujenya
A SKIN Lightening Beauty Lotion, “Caro White” has been declared highly dangerous by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) which issued a stern warning regarding the use of the product.
This followed a recall by the European Union (EU) Rapid Alert System for Dangerous Non-Food Products (RAPEX) as the product failed to meet the Cosmetic Products Regulation because it contains an excessive amount of Kojic Acid, exceeding the permissible limit of one percent.
A statement from NAFDAC, titled ‘Public Alert No. 15/2023 – Alert on the Recall of Ivorian Made Skin Lightening Beauty Lotion,’ highlighted the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety’s (SCCS) findings.
The committee’s analysis indicated that the high concentration of Kojic Acid in the lotion poses potential endocrine-disrupting risks.
NAFDAC also urged importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers to exercise extreme caution and vigilance concerning the product.
Despite not being listed in NAFDAC’s database, the agency advises the public to verify the authenticity and physical condition of the lotion and also instructed individuals possessing it to cease its sale or use immediately and to submit any remaining stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.
The agency also calls on healthcare professionals and consumers to report any adverse effects experienced from the use of Caro White to the nearest NAFDAC office.
This warning follows an alarming discovery in the United Kingdom, where an analysis on July 7, 2023, revealed that Caro White Intensive Care Lightening Beauty Cream sold on eBay contained 422mg/kg (0.042% w/w) of clobetasol propionate, a banned substance in cosmetic products.
Additionally, the product was found to contain hydroquinone, another prohibited ingredient, which was not declared on the packaging.
The cream also lacked proper labeling and markings.
In response to these findings, eBay has promptly removed the listing, and consumers are strongly advised to discontinue use immediately.
The recalled product in the UK was further described as being packaged in a cardboard box containing a tube of orange cream, labeled with details such as Caro White, Lightening Beauty Cream, With carrot oil, 30ml, Dream Cosmetics, and an address in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, stressing that the NAFDAC’s advisory shows the critical need for consumers to be vigilant about the products they use, especially those with potentially harmful ingredients.
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