Public warned on skin products containing mercury

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings to consumers about unauthorized skin-lightening products found to contain mercury, a toxic chemical that poses severe health risks.

In a statement on Wednesday, the environmental advocacy group EcoWaste Coalition lauded the FDA for its prompt response following the group’s report on cosmetics with mercury levels far exceeding the allowable trace limit. Mercury is banned in cosmetic formulations under the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive due to its hazardous effects on health.

The FDA identified five imported skin-lightening products sold online without the necessary certificates of product notification. Among the flagged items are Q-nic Care Whitening Night Cream and Q-nic Care Whitening Underarm Cream, which were found to contain mercury levels of 4,113 parts per million (ppm) and 6,109 ppm, respectively—well above the 1 ppm regulatory limit.

Two other products, Meyyong Ra Seaweed Super Whitening Set and Lady Gold Super Gluta Brightening, were also banned for containing 3,784 ppm and 44,450 ppm of mercury, respectively, based on earlier reports.

Additionally, Malaysia Erna Whitening Cream tested negative for mercury but was still classified as unauthorized due to a lack of proper registration.

The FDA has urged consumers to check product registrations and report unauthorized cosmetics. Establishments found distributing these banned products have been warned and face penalties for violating FDA regulations.