The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has warned the public against using some 41 cosmetic products which contain harmful substances including mercury, hydroquinone and steroids.
The FDA has also directed the producers of the harmful products to recall them from the market.
The directive issued by the FDA after investigations on the Ghanaian market revealed that the cosmetic products contain some harmful substances which violate the Standards Authority Act, 1973 (N.R.C.D.1 173) as well as sections 111 (c) and 113 (b) of the Public Health Act, 2012, Act 851.
"The companies whose products contain these substances (mercury, hydroquinone and steroids) have been directed to initiate an immediate recall of their products from the market as they pose a potential health risk," the FDA said in a statement signed by its Head Communications and Public Education Department, James Lartey.
"These substances are not permitted in cosmetic products due to their adverse side effects over prolonged use. The adverse health effects associated with these substances include but not limited to the following: permanent neurological damage in children (pre—natal and neo-natal, kidney toxicity, fertility problems, birth defects, gastrointestinal toxicity, liver toxicity, skin infections, skin cancer and hyperpigmentation/Ochronosis".
The products include Perfect White Beauty Lotion (Clobetasol, Hydroquinone) and Day By Day Men Perfect Body Lotion (Betamethasone) produced by DIMD Limited as well as Ahoofs Foundation Body Cream (Mercury, Hydroquinone) produced by Banare Limited and Fair & White So White Skin Perfector Brightening and Moisturizing Body Milk (Hydroquinone) produced by France Mod Limited.
The list of companies and products that contain the substances that are not permitted in cosmetic products are:
DIMD Limited
1. Perfect White Beauty Lotion (Clobetasol, Hydroquinone)
2. Day By Day Men Perfect Body Lotion (Betamethasone)
Banare Limited
1. Ahoofs Foundation Body Cream (Mercury, Hydroquinone)
France Mod Limited
1. Fair & White So White Skin Perfector Brightening and Moisturizing Body Milk (Hydroquinone)