Taiwan FDA Issues Fines for Trade of Facial Masks Bearing Inappropriate Claims

The Consumer Protection Committee in Taiwan purchased 25 facial masks for examination in the greater Taipei area in August this year, and subjected them to testing and analysis. Final results were released yesterday revealing that all products passed inspections for fluorescent agents, microorganisms and preservatives however 14 were mislabeled or exaggerated their effect.

Taiwan FDA Division of Medical Devices and Cosmetics head said, ‘Cosmetic products are not allowed to claim medical effects. If they do, the company faces a fine of up to NT$ 100,000 according to the Code of Cosmetic Hygiene Management (化妝品衛生管理條例).’

The typical mistakes of cosmetics claims in this examination are listed below:

Brand	Product	Inappropriate Claims
Beauty Idea Diary (玩美日記)	pure sodium hyaluronate moisturizing mask	suitable for sensitive skin
OTAKU (禦宅女)	chamomile soothing anti-redness mask	diminish inflammation; help to heal eczema and pimples
OGUMA (水美媒)	aquakey super mask	younger and younger after it is applied; awaken young skin in 15 minutes
Hey Pinkgogirl (Hey!蘋果肌女孩)	extract herbal lotion mask	be especially good for sensitive skin, have miracle organic herbal essence, as well as producing an anti-aging effect.
Valentino Rudy (范倫鐵諾)	obsidian intense moisturizing skin whitening black mask	inhibit melanin production
Beautymate (美肌誌)	whitening smooth mask	boost collagen formation
FACE Q (絕世愛美肌)	“it’s ocean” marine double DNA repairing mask	have DNA repairing ingredients for moisturizing the skin
Dr Morita (森田藥粧)	hyaluronic acid essence mask	keep the skin moisturized for 24 hours (if a product claims it can keep the face moisturized for 24 hours, then it has to prove such an effect)

Now all the 14 types of facial masks have been asked to correct their labeling within a given period of time by Taiwan FDA. The companies claiming exaggerated effects have been fined between NT$5,000 to NT$10,000.

* Reference Link: Facial mask makers fined by FDA