FDA bans 6 whitening products

MANILA, Philippines – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned 6 more skin whitening products after laboratory tests revealed they contains high levels of mercury. 

In Department of Health-FDA Advisory No. 018-A, the FDA said that laboratory analysis conducted on these products revealed an “excessive level of mercury,” a heavy metal that is harmful to one’s health. 

The 6 skin whitening products are:

• Fruit & Lovely Quickacting Whitener & Speckle Remover Package
• Yudantang Green Olive and Papaya Natural Essence sunblock cream
• Spring Return Ginseng and Pearl Natural Pure Plants Whitening Cream
• TVC Spot Remover Cream
• Yoko Whitening Cream with SPF-15

Studies have shown that the toxic effects of mercury include damage to the kidney, lungs, and brain. The symptoms, however, depend on an individual’s exposure to the substance.

The FDA noted that one of the products, Yudantang, is imported from Taiwan while another, Spring Return Ginseng, is a product from New York. The FDA also said TVC Spot is made in China.  

However, the labels of the other products did not indicate where they were manufactured. 

Good move 

Non-governmental group EcoWaste Coalition lauded the FDA’s move as it increased the number of banned mercury-containing products to 77 since November 2012.

Aileen Lucero of EcoWaste Coalition’s Project Protect urged the public to be discerning in choosing their whitening products and said that Filipino’s brown skin should be a source of pride. 

Lucero said that if consumers still insist on using skin whitening products and other “cosmetics,” they should be very careful since there are products that contain not only mercury but other harmful substances as well.

“Our distinct kayumangging-kaligatan (light brown skin) complexion is beautiful and a source of national pride. It’s better to be brown than sorry,” Lucero said. – Rappler.com

Beauty products image via Shutterstock