Local health authorities will inspect retail outlets to confiscate skin whitening products with high mercury content today.
The Department of Health (DOH) Food and Drug Authority issued last Aug. 4 order 2011-012 for the recall of the 23 whitening products.
“The products pose imminent danger or injury to the consuming public,” the order warned.
Elizabeth Tabasa, DOH Central Visayas licensing, standards and regulation chief, said she met with their food and drug regulation officers (FDRO) yesterday and instructed them to check the stores selling the items.
The officers were ordered to “seize immediately the identified cosmetic products from the outlets and establishments where they may be found.” (See table.)
“Stores selling the products would be issued with a notice of violation, which could lead to their suspension or closure,” Tabasa told Cebu Daily News.
She said the stores already received the advisory as it was forwarded to the Department of Trade and Industry.
The EcoWaste Coalition, a private watchdog group, blew the whistle on the products after it tested several China-made skin whitening creams sold in Metro Manila retail stores and supermarkets and found at least 11 that contained high levels of mercury.
Some of the creams contained up to 28,600 parts per million (ppm) of the heavy metal.
The limit set by the Food and Drug Authority for mercury levels in cosmetics is 1 ppm.
Mercury is poisonous when absorbed by human beings and can harm the nervous system and vital organs.
Exposure to high levels can cause skin rashes, brain damage, hearing impairment, eye irritation, diarrhea and increase in blood pressure, said the DOH. /Candeze R. Mongaya Reporter
PRODUCTS WITH HIGH LEVELS OF MERCURY
1. Miss Beauty Magic Cream
2. Miss Beauty Excellent Therapy Whitening Cream
3. Dagette and Ramsdell Underarm Lightening Cream
4. Lanmeirou 12 Days Whiten and Speckle Removing Suit
5. Berglotus Spot Removing Series
6. Yoko Gentlemen Cream for Men
7. Jonathan Clearing Facial Spots 12 Day Cream
8. The Flower Woman 7-day Whitening and Spot and Night Set Cream
9. Sara Glutathione Sheep Placenta Whitening and Anti-Spot Cream
10. Aichun Beauty Green Tea Whitening Speckle Removing Series Cream and Aichun Beauty Whitening Freckle Day and Night Cream
11. BIB Night Cream Whitening Cream
12. Pretty Model Whitening and Freckle Removing Day Cream and Night Cream-Set
13. Pretty Girl 10 Day Special Cream
14. Pretty Girl Green Cucumber and Ginseng Cream,
15. Liliki Whitening Day Cream 911
16. Liliki Whitening Night Cream 912
17. New Miss Beauty Magic Cream
18. Jiaoli Rejuvenation Essence 10 Days Speckle Removing
19. Jaio Liang 7 Days Eliminating Fredkle AB Set
20. Jiao Liang 10 Days Eliminating Fredkle AB Set
21. Beaut, Girl, 6 Days Specific Eliminating Freckle Whitening Cream Egg White
22. Tomato 3in1
23. Beautiful Dream Whitening Anti-Speckle and Anti-Acne Kit