FDA urged to intensify public sensitization on bleaching products    

    
The Food and Drugs Authority has been urged to intensify its public sensitization on bleaching products on the market.

Skin bleaching refers to the use of products to lighten dark areas of the skin or achieve an overall lighter complexion. 
According to health experts, bleaching exposes the body to a lot of conditions since it reduces the concentration or production of melanin in the skin. 
There are adverse effects associated with bleaching which include, 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".
 It will be recalled that in 2019, the Food and Drugs Authority warned the public against using some 41 cosmetic products which it says contain harmful substances including mercury, hydroquinone, and steroids. 
The Authority also directed producers to recall such harmful products from the market.
 Speaking on Ark FM monitored by soiree News, a nurse and research assistant with the Centre for Research in Applied Biology at the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Theophilus Babae said, “despite several warning issued by the FDA, such products are illegally imported into the country”. 
He, therefore, calls on the FDA to ensure all those bleaching chemicals are removed from the market. 
Mr. Babae also cautioned the public against products with hydroquinone, mercury, and kojic acid.
He added, “that skin bleaching products have the tendency to deform unborn babies and has therefore implored pregnant women to stay away from such harmful chemicals”.