Eco group pushes for crack down on banned cosmetics vendors in Makati

A toxic watchdog urged the city government of Makati to crack down banned cosmetics and slimming products being sold in stalls in Guadalupe.

Environment group EcoWaste Coalition called on acting Makati Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña to reprimand vendors selling these products which can harm the health of the public.

The group said they already sent a letter to the city’s health department along with photo evidence of their findings.

In a surveillance conducted on Monday in Guadalupe, EcoWaste Coalition Project Protect coordinator Thony Dizon said seven beauty and herbal vendors renting spaces at the Guadalupe Commercial Complex and U-Mec Supermarket were found to be selling whitening products and slimming goods banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The group added that some of the products prohibited by the FDA but are still being sold in these stores are Erna, Jiaoli and S’zitang skin whitening creams, which have been banned because of high mercury content.

“Mercury-laced cosmetics can expose users and even non-users to this toxic metal that can cause damage to the skin, kidneys and the nervous systems and hinder healthy brain development of unborn and very young children,” said EcoWaste in a statement.

Meanwhile, weight loss products being sold in the area include Brazilian Slimming Coffee,  Leisure 18 Slimming Coffee, and Leisure Burn Body Fat Orange Juice, all earlier banned by the FDA for containing amphetamine, sibutramine, and steroids.

These ingredients, according to EcoWaste, have been associated with increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

“To curb this illegal trade of dangerous consumer products that had no FDA notification, we request the Makati LGU to seize the unregistered items, issue formal warning against non-compliant vendors and/or shut retail outlets engaged in such illicit business,” Dizon said.

He added that the immediate action of the local government unit will help a lot in protecting consumers from buying the said products as the group recognizes the role of local government units “to ensure that health directives from the FDA and other national government agencies are enforced to promote and protect the public health and safety.”

“With the collaboration of the LGUs, it’s possible to cut back on this unlawful trade and consumption of contraband goods that can cause adverse effects to human health and the environment,” Dizon noted.