Panama Orders Recall of Deodorant Containing Carcinogenic Substance

Panama's Ministry of Health (Minsa) has taken decisive action, canceling the sanitary registration for Lactovit Repairing Deodorant Lactourea Spray (Intelligent Protection) and ordering its immediate removal from the market. This measure follows concerns raised by Spanish health authorities regarding a prohibited ingredient.

The decision, formalized in Resolution N.° 085, stems from information provided by the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS). AEMPS identified the deodorant as containing 2-(4-tert-butylbenzyl) propionaldehyde (BMHCA), a substance classified as carcinogenic and banned in cosmetic products under European regulations.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) identifies BMHCA as an aromatic compound, while the European Commission's Regulation (EU) No. 1221/1902 lists it among substances prohibited in cosmetics due to its classification as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction (CMR). The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety of the European Commission has also concluded that this compound should be banned in cosmetic products.

The affected product, manufactured by Laboratorios Genesse, S.L. in Spain, has the Panamanian sanitary registration number 94662, which was valid until February 9, 2027. The distributor in Panama is Agencias Motta, S.A. Minsa has instructed all distributors to immediately retrieve any remaining stock from the national market and submit a withdrawal report within 30 days. This action aims to safeguard consumer health and safety.