TOXIC and pollution watchdog BAN Toxics today called on online shopping site Shopee to address the sale of Feique whitening products, which have been banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to toxic mercury ingredients.
“We are dismayed that online shopping platforms, such as Shopee, allow sellers to advertise prohibited or banned skin-lightening products, exposing the public to health-damaging mercury,” said BAN Toxics Campaigner Thony Dizon. “This is a direct violation of the platforms’ policies and guidelines on prohibited and restricted products.”
In a recent online monitoring, BAN Toxics purchased and documented eight variants of Feique cosmetic products, namely Feique Cucumber Whitening & Freckle-Eliminating Cream, Feique Ginseng Whitening Freckle Day Cream and Night Cream, Feique Green Tea Whitening Nourishing Anti-Freckle Set, Feique Herbal Extract Whitening Freckle Removing Cream, Feique Lemon Whitening Anti-Wrinkle Face Cream Set, Feique Papaya Whitening & Freckle-Eliminating Set, Feique Rose Whitening Anti-Freckle Cream, and Feique Snail Liquid Whitening Anti-Freckle Set.
Using a portable Olympus Vanta C Series X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer, the samples were screened and tested positive for mercury concentrations ranging from 20 parts per million (ppm) to as high as 7,500 ppm—far exceeding the 1 ppm limit set by the country’s regulatory agencies, the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive, and the Minamata Convention on Mercury, to which the Philippines is a party.
The FDA has warned the public against using “unauthorized” and “unnotified” cosmetic products containing toxic mercury, advising consumers not to purchase these violative items.
“Potential hazards may come from ingredients that are not allowed to be part of a cosmetic product or from the contamination of heavy metals. The use of substandard and possibly adulterated cosmetic products may result in adverse reactions including, but not limited to, skin irritation, itchiness, anaphylactic shock, and organ failure,” the FDA advisory states.
The China-made “Feique” skin whitening products were banned by the FDA in 2013, and an additional five products of the same brand, in June 2024.
“We are calling the attention of online shopping platforms to take preventive action and exercise ‘due diligence’ in removing or banning sellers that violate regulations on prohibited cosmetic products. Such measures are crucial for promoting a mercury-free shopping platform for consumers’ health and safety,” Dizon said.
“Online businesses must adhere to the country’s laws and regulations, including safeguarding online consumers against health and safety risks, as outlined in Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 22-01 Series of 2022.”
BAN Toxics regularly conducts monitoring of both online and on-site markets to identify and warn the public about the sale of mercury-containing skin whitening products.
“To protect the public from the negative effects of hazardous chemicals in cosmetic products, it is high time for the government to implement robust compliance and enforcement strategies. This includes identifying importers, manufacturers, and other supply chains, particularly within e-commerce sites. Health agencies should also conduct nationwide awareness campaigns to inform consumers about the health and environmental effects of mercury,” the group said.
“The government should put an end to the illegal trade of mercury-added skin-lightening cosmetics in both online and on-site markets. We urge our regulatory agencies: FDA, DTI, and the Bureau of Customs to crack down on smugglers of these prohibited and contraband products.”
BAN Toxics likewise asked the public to take caution when buying skin-lightening products, advising them to check for proper certifications and avoid products from unverified sources to protect their health and safety.
Mercury is cited by the World Health Organization as one of the top ten chemicals of major concern due to its adverse impacts on human health and the environment. The chemical is known to negatively affect the nervous, digestive, and immune systems.
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