Takehome: In a recent spot check conducted by Guangdong FDA it was revealed that 6 batches of cosmetic products contained either prohibited substances or contained excessive concentrations of restricted substances.
The majority of failed items are known as “liangbangsu”, which are mainly skin whitening products with active ingredients derived from Chinese herbal medicine. Several cream products claiming unsubstantiated freckle removing efficacy were also among the blacklisted proudcts. All products have labeled as illegal in an accompanying public notice.
These products have been confirmed as having been manufactured and distributed mainly by companies based in Guangdong Province with several Hong Kong distributors and Taiwan manufacturers also involved. The test samples were mainly collected from cosmetic retailors with some sourced from shopping malls.
A large number of these products have been found to contain mercury in concentrations exceeding regulatory standards. Mercury inhibits melanin formation in human skin, therefore conferring a whitening effect. Overdose or long-term exposure to mercury can lead to chronic toxicity and acute skin damage manifested in dry and fragile skin. According to China’s rules on restricted substances in cosmetics, mercury must be at a volume no higher than 1 milligram per kilogram.
Other illegal ingredients found in these products include dexamethasone, metronidazole and andofloxacin. Dexamethasone is highly toxic and is often referred to as “the Skin’s Opium”. Skin treated with dexamethasone will gradually develop dependence and when withdrawn quickly turns dry, thin and darkened despite an initial effect of rapidly improving skins appearance. Ofloxacin is an antibiotic drug with anti-inflammatory properties which can improve acne but also results in contact dermatitis.
Companies selling those products have been ordered to suspend sales and report any relevant information to local FDAs. The manufacturers are now under further investigation and will have their manufacturing license suspended and also be subject to criminal prosecution if found guilty of criminal offences.
Guangdong FDA has mandated all local inspection departments within its jurisdiction to report the outcomes of this investigation to its affiliated inspection bureau before 20 September after which all information gathered will be made public.
Reference: http://news.ycwb.com/2015-09/15/content_20659877.htm
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