Joint Advisory No. 2010-0001 of the Department of Health and Department of Environment and Natural Resources promulgated the strict prohibition on the sale of silver jewelry cleaning solution-containing cyanide. Postmarketing surveillance activities and laboratory testing conducted by the Food and Drug Administration Common Services Laboratory (FDA-CSL), showed that silver jewelry cleaners containing cyanide are still being sold in the market, thus the issuance of FDA Advisory No. 2016-088. Furthermore, cases of poisoning from silver jewelry cleaners with clinical features of changes of sensorium, loss of consciousness and hemodynamic instability as possible signs and symptoms of cyanide poisoning, were documented by the National Poison and Management Control of the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital (NPMCC, UP-PGH) up to the year of 2020.
In order to eliminate potential risks to human health brought about by cyanide exposure, the FDA hereby reiterates the ban of all silver jewelry cleaners containing cyanide that is manufactured, distributed, imported, sold, and offered for sale or promoted in the market/ecommerce marketplaces. Cyanide is a highly toxic chemical which may be inhaled, absorbed through the skin or ingested (accidental or deliberate) even at small doses/concentration. Exposure to cyanide may bring about any of the following signs and symptoms within minutes – dizziness, headache, nausea and vomiting, rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, restlessness and weakness or may lead to respiratory failure, loss of consciousness and possibly death, among others.
In light of the foregoing, the public is advised not to purchase the aforementioned household/urban hazardous substances products. Always check if a product is registered with the FDA by using the FDA Verification Portal feature accessible at https://verification.fda.gov.ph which may be used by typing in the name of the product before purchase and/or using the household/urban hazardous substances.
All concerned establishments are warned not to distribute any banned household/urban hazardous substances.
All FDA Regional Field Offices and Regulatory Enforcement Units, in coordination with law enforcement agencies and Local Government Units, are requested to ensure that banned products are not sold or made available in the market or areas of their jurisdiction.
To report any sale, distribution, complaint and/or adverse event on the use of banned household/urban hazardous substances, the online reporting facility, eReport can be accessed at [email protected], or call us at the Center for Cosmetics and Household/Urban Hazardous Substances Regulation and Research (CCHUHSRR) hotline (02) 8857-1900 loc. 8113 or 8107.
Dissemination of this advisory to all concerned is hereby requested.