Group warns against cheap perfumes for potential health risks

Photo from EcoWaste Coalition

 MANILA, Philippines – A local environment watchdog warned the public on Thursday against buying cheap perfumes, which could cause potential health risks for possibly containing allergic and hormone-disrupting substances.

EcoWaste Coalition said these fragrance products flood “informal market,” specifically sold by vendors on streets of Quiapo in Manila. These products, the group added, did not pass through quality and safety assessment.

EcoWaste said it was able to obtain 16 bottles of those cheap perfumes that were being sold for P50 per 35ml bottle. The items were imitations of popular fragrance brands like “Boos Orange” (for “Boss Orange”), “Euphorie” (for “Euphoria”), “Pqlq” (for “Polo”), and “Vercage” (for “Versace”).

It noted the purportedly China-made perfume’s packaging usually does not contain information about the importer or the distributor of the product.

“We are deeply concerned with the proliferation of such products that are within the purview of the FDA because the products have not undergone quality and safety assessment, and the actual composition of the fragrance in these products is unknown,” said Chemical Safety Campaigner Thony Dizon said in a statement.

Photo from EcoWaste Coalition

FDA refers to the Food and Drug Administration.

EcoWaste said it has notified FDA about the proliferation of cheap perfumes that have no valid cosmetic product notifications.

It also urged FDA to issue a public health advisory informing consumers against the use of perfumes, colognes, and aftershaves, which do not have product notifications.

According to EcoWaste, FDA should also analyze those cheap perfumes for banned and restricted substances especially those linked to allergic reactions, hormone disruption, cancer, and other hazardous health conditions as well as consequently conduct law enforcement activities to stop the sale of those products.

EcoWaste likewise encouraged the public to limit their use of perfume to special occasions and find natural products free from parabens, phthalates, solvents, and other synthetic chemicals. /kga