FDA bans Feyque and other mercury-tainted skin whitening creams exposed by EcoWaste Coalition

The health and environmental watchdog EcoWaste Coalition welcomed the latest public health warning from the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) banning seven brands of imported skin whitening creams tainted with toxic mercury.

It's always important to check the ingredients used in making "that" skin whitening cream/product you are about to pay for. I have published a blog post on 5 Basic Things to Have in Mind When Purchasing Skin Lightening Products. I encourage you to read that post as a lot of people don't care to check the contents of the skin lightening products they are buying.

"These smuggled skin lightening creams contain mercury that can be directly absorbed by the skin and lead to serious side effects. Mercury is very bad for your health as it can cause dermal, neurological, psychiatric and renal problems," said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator of EcoWaste Coalition.

"The use of such creams by pregnant women, lactating mothers and caregivers is a special concern, since fetuses, babies and children are extremely sensitive to mercury exposure even at low doses. Pregnant women, for example, can pass on the mercury to babies in the womb," Lucero emphasized.

Samples of the seven mercury-tainted cosmetic products were obtained by the group from unauthorized cosmetics retailers in Cebu, Manila, Pasay and Paranaque Cities and submitted to the FDA for confirmatory analysis and recall action.

Per FDA's Advisory, the following unauthorized skin whitening cosmetics were found to have violative levels of mercury above the 1 part per million (ppm) limit under the ASEAN Cosmetics Directive:

1. BG Ginseng & Ganoderma Lucidum 6 Days Specific Eliminating Freckle Whitening Sun Block Cream
2. BG Sea Pearl & Papaya Natural Essence 6 Days Specific Eliminating Freckle Whitening Sun Block Cream
3. Feique Herbal Extract Chinese Formula Whitening Anti-Freckle Set
4. Golden Pearl Beauty Cream
5. Jiaoli Huichusu Intensive Whitening, Sunscreen and Spots Removing Set
6. Jiaoli Herbs Essence Whitening AB Set
7. Mifton

EcoWaste Coalition appealed to dealers of the banned items to  desist from selling them and to contact the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for advice on environmentally-sound disposal of the remaining stocks.

Symptoms of mercury exposure may include dermatitis, difficulty in concentration, impaired eyesight and hearing, insomnia, irritability, memory loss, tremors in the arms and legs and kidney failure in the most severe cases.

According to the World Health Organization, mercury in skin lightening products can cause skin rashes, skin discoloration and scarring, as well as a reduction in the skin’s resistance to bacterial and fungal infections.

Source:  http://www.interaksyon.com