EcoWaste hits unchecked sales of toxic cosmetics
MANILA, Philippines — Toxics watchdog EcoWaste Coalition on Sunday expressed concern over the “unrestrained trade” of mercury-laced skin-lightening products despite being banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“We are appalled by the uncontrolled advertising, promotion, distribution and sale of imported cosmetics containing high levels of mercury in e-commerce and social media platforms and in physical stores despite the ban on such hazardous products,” EcoWaste national coordinator Aileen Lucero said in a statement.
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The group criticized retailers for their “brazen disregard of the public interest,” noting that mercury can cause harmful effects on a person’s skin as well as on the digestive, immune, nervous, renal, and respiratory systems.
READ: 35 whitening creams found laced with mercury
Citing a statement from the US FDA, EcoWaste added that mercury can also have adverse effects on the development of a baby’s brain and nervous system. Nursing mothers may also pass on the mercury to their newborns through breastfeeding.
Article continues after this advertisement“Changes in hearing, vision or taste, difficulty concentrating, depression, insomnia, irritability, memory deterioration, shyness, tingling in feet, hands or around the mouth, and tremors are among the signs and symptoms of mercury exposure,” EcoWaste said.
Article continues after this advertisementThe group made the statement after it found that several shops inside malls in Pasay City were still selling skin-lightening products previously flagged by the FDA, including three variants of Goree Beauty Cream, during a recent visit.
“These mercury cosmetics are openly displayed and sold in full view of everyone,” EcoWaste said.
Aside from physical stores, the group noted that these Goree products continue to be sold through online retailers, citing “numerous Lazada and Shopee product listings, Facebook posts, TikTok videos and Instagram reels.”
