Bleaching Creams: NAFDAC Warns On Consequences, Seeks Media Support  

National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has advised Nigerians against bleaching creams, saying accumulation of toxic chemicals affect the organs.

Acting director-general of NAFDAC, Monica Eimunjeze, gave the advice during a one-day media sensitisation workshop on “Dangers of Bleaching Creams and Regulatory Controls,” organised by NAFDAC for the Association of Nigerian Health Journalists, in Abuja.

She said, “There are many consequences such as kidney failure, liver damage from accumulation of toxic chemicals within the system, so we want people to be aware of this and try to modify their behavior.”

Eimunjeze urged the media to take the front seat in the campaign against skin bleaching  by providing Nigerians with the right information to make right decision about safeguarding their health.

She, however, said that some of these bleaching creams had gone through the regulatory process on the list of license items that are available in the record of the agency.

“We see dangers inherent in using those creams products that are not in our regulatory process, so we are collaborating with health journalists to help us increase awareness on the products that have not gone through the regulatory process on the impact these could have on their health.

“When you use a product that has chemicals that could affect the body in many ways or systemically, it causes reaction on the skin and could affect the organ.

“Although, people have the right to make choices  but you need to make informed choices that will guide you and not the one that will hurt you,” she said.

The DG also talked about organic products which are perceived as natural, saying that not all organic products are good for the body if it is not under regulation.