More Mercury-tainted Skin-whitening Cosmetics Discovered in Philippines

7 skin-whitening cosmetic products with high level of mercury were discovered in Davao City by the EcoWaste Coalition and the Interface Development Interventions (IDIS) after the two groups procured those products from several shops in Chinatown and other places of the City and have them tested.

One of the illegal products even contains mercury up to 6,633 ppm, more than 6,000 times the limit (1 ppm) set by the ASEAN Cosmetics Directive. 

Ann Fuertes, IDIS Executive Director, stated that “We therefore urge the local government and police authorities to get to the bottom of this wicked trade of poison cosmetics in the city and bring violators to justice”.

Using a portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer, a device that can measure the concentrations of heavy metals in consumer products, the groups detected high levels of mercury in the following products:

1. Erna Whitening Cream with 6,633 ppm 
2. Jiaoli Miraculous Cream with 5,508 ppm 
3. S’Zitang (golden yellow box) with 4,828 ppm 
4. Jiao Li 7-days Specific Eliminating Preckle AB Set with 4,071 ppm 
5. S’ Zitang 7-days Specific Eliminating Freckle AB Set with 3,409 ppm, 
6. White Magnolia Powerful Spot Remover Repair Essence with 3,406  ppm,
7. Jiao Li Speckle-Dispelling & Whitening Cream with 3,042 ppm

The FDA has yet to ban Erna and White Magnolia, while Jiaoli and S’Zitang are among the 93 skin whitening products banned by the agency for containing mercury above the allowable limit.

In addition, the groups also obtained a number of cheap skin whitening products sold for P20 each that have no market authorization from the FDA.  

According to Philippine FDA Circular 2012-016, the manufacture, importation, selling or offering for sale of cosmetics products without FDA approval or found to contain harmful or toxic substances is in direct violation of Republic Act No. 9711, otherwise known as the FDA Act of 2009, and Republic Act No. 7394, otherwise known as the Consumer Act of the Philippines. FDA-approved cosmetics must be produced under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and comply with the cosmetic standards for safety and quality.

Reference Links

• EcoWaste news alert
• Philippine FDA Circular 2012-016