Toxic watchdog BAN Toxics issued a warning about seven (7) China-made skin whitening creams available for sale on online shopping sites Shopee and Lazada after detecting mercury content. Four of the products have been banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Using a Vanta C Series Handheld XRF Chemical Analyzer, the skin lightening creams, priced between 80 PHP and 264 PHP, were found to contain excessive amounts of mercury, with levels ranging from 115 to 5,150 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the regulatory limit.
- JiaoLi HuiChuSu Face Cream 7 Day Specific Eliminating Freckle (already banned by the FDA)
- JiaoLi HuiChuSu Miraculous Cream (already banned by the FDA)
- Szitang 7-days Specific Whitening & Spot A-B Set Cream (already banned by the FDA)
- Szitang 10-day Whitening and Spot Day & Night Set (already banned by the FDA)
- BL Vterly Day and Night Retinol & Collagen Cream
- PEARL NATURAL Whitening & Anti-Aging Cream
- Day and Night Whitening Anti Freckle Melasma (Green)
According to the World Health Organization Fact Sheet on Mercury and Health, mercury is considered one of the top ten chemicals of major public health concern. Exposure to even small amounts of mercury can cause serious health problems and poses a threat to the development of a child in utero and during early stages in life. Mercury can also have toxic effects on the nervous, digestive, and immune systems, as well as on the lungs, kidneys, skin, and eyes.
“We are dismayed that skin lightening creams tainted with mercury continue to prevail in online markets despite regulations on the use of mercury in personal care products,” said Thony Dizon, Toxics Campaigner, BAN Toxics.
“The ongoing use of hazardous chemicals in beauty products must be stopped.”
BAN Toxics cautions the public to be vigilant when purchasing skin lightening creams that are regulated by the FDA to prevent exposure to toxic mercury.
“We call on the regulatory agencies—the FDA and the Department of Trade and Industry—to investigate and immediately conduct enforcement actions against online shopping platforms that violate existing health and safety regulations and e-commerce laws in the country,” the group stated.