KAMPALA– The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has banned a total of 177 cosmetics containing Hydroquinone.
Amongst the banned products are cosmetic products containing hydroquinone which include 98 cream cosmetics, 27 lotions, 12 soaps and skin-lightening cosmetic products containing mercury which include; 22 creams & lotions and 18 soaps.
Some of the banned cosmetics are Rico Complexion Cream and Rico Soap, Mekako Antiseptic Soap, Maxilight, Carolight among many others.
According to UNBS, these products on long-term use could lead to skin discoloration, kidney, skin cancer and liver damage.
UNBS on Monday, December 30, 2019, raided several Sure Deal cosmetics shops, arresting staff and confiscating products said to contain Hydroquinone ingredient.
In January 2018, Sure Deal owner, Prossy Namwanje was convicted and fined UGX30M for selling dangerous cosmetics and also agreed to change the content in her products
However, UNBS Public Relations Officer, Victoria Namutebi Luwaga said sample results indicated that several Sure Deal products on the market still contain hydroquinone.
“We just realized that this time is she is using the same ingredients and she’s not labeling it on the product,” she said.
Here is the list of the banned products