The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns the public from purchasing and using the following violative cosmetic products, which tested positive for the presence of MERCURY, as reported in the ASEAN Post-Marketing Alert System (PMAS). This ingredient is not allowed to be part of a cosmetic product as per ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD).
1. BOO JIN BRIGHTENING DAY & NIGHT CREAM
2. HERB GOLD ALL NATURAL ALL IN ONE CREAM
3. BOTAYA HERB NOURISHING SKIN CARE SET
The aforementioned products have been tested by the Food and Drug Administration, Thailand, as part of their post-marketing surveillance activities and results of the laboratory analyses show that these products are not compliant with the technical standards set forth by the ACD.
The aforementioned products were verified to contain Mercury, a naturally occuring heavy metal which is known to be severely hazardous to health even in small amount. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the main adverse effect of exposure to inorganic mercury (e.g. ammoniated mercury) is kidney damage. Mercury may also cause skin rashes, skin discoloration and scarring, as well as a reduction in the skin’s resistance to bacterial and fungal infections. Exposed pregnant women and nursing mothers transfer the mercury to their fetuses, which can later result in neurodevelopmental deficits in the children.
In light of the foregoing, the public is advised not to purchase the aforementioned violative products. Moreover, the public is advised to always check if a cosmetic product is notified with the FDA. The FDA website (www.fda.gov.ph) has a Search feature which may be used by typing in the name of the product before purchasing.
All concerned establishments are warned not to distribute violative cosmetic products.
All FDA Regional Field Offices and Regulatory Enforcement Units, in coordination with law enforcement agencies and Local Government Units, are requested to ensure that violative products are not sold or made available in the market or areas of jurisdiction.
To report any sale or distribution, complaint and/or adverse event on the use of the violative cosmetic product, the online reporting facility, eReport can be accessed at ereport@fda.gov.ph, 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.