Beauty and skin care products users in Rwanda have been warned about the presence of harmful cosmetics on the market.

A statement by the country’s Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) indicates that batches of the cosmetic products made in France, and Malaysia were found to contain hydroquinone substances that pose a risk to human health.

Rwanda officially banned use of harmful cosmetics in 2016.

At least 1,342 cosmetics were banned since, while the use of another 95 cosmetic substances, including hydroquinone, is subject to prescribed concentration.

However, according to the Rwanda FDA, the quality control laboratory results of Fair&White Miss White 500ml, Rapid Clear White Absolute 300ml, Max White S1 Lait Maxitone 500ml, and Gluta C-TM  9 (Intense Whitening) 500ml confirmed that there is hydroquinone substances which are prohibited.

The agency recalled the cosmetic products in a statement issued Wednesday.

“Members of the public are hereby advised to stop buying and using the recalled batches of cosmetic products,” the agency said.

Destruction

“Rwanda FDA instructs all distributors, wholesalers and all retail shops of the cosmetic products to stop distribution and sale of the above mentioned batches of cosmetics products and return them to their suppliers, or to collect them pending destruction,” read the statement.

The statement also asks importers and suppliers of the incriminated cosmetics to receive all quantities returned by their clients and submit detailed report with data on quantities imported, those distributed, returned and the stock at hand.