EcoWaste Coalition Alerts FDA on 14 Unauthorized Cosmetics, Including 9 with High Mercury Content

12 January 2025, Quezon City. As part of its ongoing observance of the Zero Waste Month, the EcoWaste Coalition today announced that it has notified the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding 14 unauthorized cosmetics being offered for sale to Filipino consumers, of which nine are contaminated with violative levels of mercury.

While mercury, a potent neurotoxin, is not a permissible ingredient in cosmetics, the EcoWaste Coalition continues to detect this highly toxic chemical in products that are marketed to lighten the skin tone and get rid of acne, age spots, blemishes, freckles, and wrinkles. 

"We have duly alerted our health product regulators as these cosmetics, the mercury-tainted ones in particular, pose serious health threats to users and members of their households, especially the children," said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition.

Of the 14 products, 12 were purchased from online sellers and two were bought from a retail store in Pasay City. 

Prior to notifying the FDA, the group screened the 14 items for mercury using an X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer, a handheld device used for a quick and non-destructive identification of various elements present on a sample.

As shown in the XRF screening, the following products are adulterated with varying levels of mercury with three products, all made in Pakistan, containing over 10,000 ppm of mercury!

From China (5 products): Feique Papaya Whitening & Freckle Eliminating Cream, 4,504 ppm; Feique Papaya Whitening Anti-Freckle Package, 1,704 ppm (day), 2,256 ppm (night); Feique Papaya Krim Yang Membuat Kulit Anda Putih Dan Menghilangkan Noda Anda, 1,684 ppm (day), 2,344 ppm (night), not detected (pearl cream); Lijing High Effect Whitening & Anti-Spot Suit, not detected (day), 28 ppm (night); and Qian Li, 900 ppm (day), 2,512 ppm (night).

From Pakistan (3 products): Aima Gold Beauty Cream, 19,020 ppm; Armena Gold Beauty Cream, 11,940 ppm;  and Zoya Gold Beauty Cream, 19,170 ppm.

From Thailand (1 product): Pumepime Total White Underarm Cream, 2,248 ppm

Mercury was not detected on these four unauthorized cosmetics: 88 Total White Underarm Cream (pink), Huashuzi Papaya Active Ferment Whitening Package, Lulanjina Sweetrip Whitening Freckle Removal Cream, and Teatrical Facial Cream.

As stated by the World Health Organization (WHO), “adverse health effects of the inorganic mercury contained in skin lightening creams and soaps include: kidney damage , skin rashes, skin discoloration and scarring, reduction in the skin’s resistance to bacterial and fungal infections, anxiety, depression, psychosis and peripheral neuropathy.”

“Mercury in soaps, creams and other cosmetic products is eventually discharged into waste water. The mercury then enters the environment, where it becomes methylated and can enter the food chain as highly toxic methylmercury in fish," the WHO said. 

"Pregnant women who consume fish containing methylmercury can transfer the mercury to their fetuses, which can result in neurodevelopmental deficits in the children,” the WHO warned.