The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has warned the public against the use of 10 unregistered cosmetic products.
According to the agency, these were: Dane Papaya Extract Soap Super Active Skin Whitener, Verdon Shine Keratin Hair Spa Milk Essence, A Bonne Milk Powder Lightening Lotion Plus Collagen, Hanzhixiu Colour Cream (E-15 Grape Red), Hanzhixiu Permanent Hair Colorant (A-18 Golden Red), Professional Skin Care Formula Collagen with Elastin Cream, Asudjor Extra Whitening Armpit Cream and Deodorant, Malunggay Facial Toner, Malunggay Peel-Off Mask and Placenta Original Soap.
“The manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, sale, offer for sale, transportation, promotion and/or advertisement of these noncompliant products is in direct violation of Republic Act No. 9711,” the FDA said in its advisory.
It explained that cosmetic products, before their distribution in the local market, should be duly notified with the FDA by a licensed cosmetic distributor and/or manufacturer.
“However, if a cosmetic product has not been verified by FDA as in the case of these unnotified products, [their] use may pose potential health hazards to the consuming public. The FDA cannot guarantee their quality and safety,” the agency said.
“Potential hazards may come from ingredients that are not allowed to be part of a cosmetic product or from the contamination of heavy metals such as lead and mercury,” it added.
DFA field regulatory operations officers have been ordered to monitor and rid the market of the products.