BAN Toxics calls on Shopee to remove mercury-laced ‘Feique’ bleaching products from its platform and uphold the ban
Toxic and pollution watchdog BAN Toxics today called on online shopping site Shopee to address the sale of Feique whitening products, which have been banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to toxic mercury ingredients.
“We are dismayed that online shopping platforms like Shopee allow sellers to promote banned or prohibited skin lightening products, thereby exposing the public to harmful mercury,” said Thony Dizon, BAN toxicology campaigner. “This is in direct violation of the platforms’ policies and guidelines on banned and restricted products.”
In a recent online monitoring, BAN Toxics purchased and documented eight variants of Feique cosmetic products, namely Feique Cucumber Whitening & Freckle-Eliminating Cream, Feique Ginseng Whitening Freckle Day Cream and Night Cream, Feique Green Tea Whitening Nourishing Anti-Freckle Set, Feique Herbal Extract Whitening Freckle Removing Cream, Feique Lemon Whitening Anti-Wrinkle Face Cream Set, Feique Papaya Whitening & Freckle-Eliminating Set, Feique Rose Whitening Anti-Freckle Cream and Feique Snail Liquid Whitening Anti-Freckle Set.
The samples were analyzed using an Olympus Vanta C-series portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer and found mercury levels ranging from 20 parts per million (ppm) to 7,500 ppm, well above the 1 ppm limit set by the country’s regulators, the ASEAN Cosmetics Policy and the Minamata Convention on Mercury, to which the Philippines is a party.
The FDA has warned the public against using “unapproved” and “undeclared” cosmetic products that contain toxic mercury and advised consumers not to purchase these violating items.
“Potential dangers may arise from ingredients that are not intended to be part of a cosmetic product or from contamination with heavy metals. The use of substandard and possibly adulterated cosmetic products may result in adverse reactions, including but not limited to skin irritation, itching, anaphylactic shock, and organ failure,” the FDA warning states.
The Chinese-made skin lightening products “Feique” were banned by the FDA in 2013, and five more products of the same brand were banned in June 2024.
“We call on online shopping platforms to take preventive measures and exercise due diligence in removing or blocking sellers who violate regulations on banned cosmetic products. Such measures are crucial to promoting a mercury-free shopping platform in the interests of consumer health and safety,” Dizon said.
“Online businesses must comply with the country’s laws and regulations, including protecting online consumers from health and safety risks, as set forth in Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 22-01, Series of 2022.”
BAN Toxics regularly monitors online and physical markets to identify and warn the public about the sale of skin lightening products containing mercury.
“To protect the public from the negative impacts of hazardous chemicals in cosmetic products, it is high time that the government implements robust compliance and enforcement strategies. This includes identifying importers, manufacturers and other supply chains, especially within e-commerce sites. Health authorities should also conduct nationwide awareness campaigns to inform consumers about the health and environmental impacts of mercury,” the group said.
“The government should put an end to the illegal trade of mercury-containing skin lightening cosmetics both online and in brick-and-mortar markets. We call on our regulators FDA, DTI and Customs to crack down on smugglers of these banned and contraband products.”
BAN Toxics also urged the public to be cautious when purchasing skin lightening products, advising them to look for relevant certifications and avoid products from unverified sources to protect their health and safety.
Mercury is identified by the World Health Organization as one of the ten chemicals of most concern due to its negative effects on human health and the environment. The chemical is known to have negative effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems.
Sources:
Shopee search for Feique creams:
https://shopee.ph/search?
Shopee Prohibited and Restricted Items Policy:
https://help.shopee.com.my/
https://help.shopee.com.my/
Source: Pressenza
