Panama orders withdrawal of women's perfume over 'prohibited ingredient,' cancels registration

Panama's Ministry of Health (Minsa) has issued a directive to remove all batches of the women's fragrance Paco Rabanne Black XS Black Excess for Her Eau de Parfum from the market. This action follows the cancellation of the product's sanitary registration in the country.

The decision, detailed in Resolution No. 104, stems from the presence of 2-(4-tert-butylbenzyl) propionaldehyde (BMHCA) in the perfume's formulation. This compound is listed in Annex II of the European Regulation on cosmetic products, which prohibits its use in such items. The Minsa cited a European Commission alert regarding the marketing and withdrawal of cosmetic products containing banned substances.

Consequently, the National Directorate of Pharmacy and Drugs has revoked the perfume's sanitary registration. Companies and the designated distributor are now mandated to immediately retrieve all available product lots from Panamanian retailers. Furthermore, the responsible company must present a comprehensive report on the product withdrawal to the National Directorate of Pharmacy and Drugs within a 30-day timeframe.