- BAN Toxics discovered over 300 e-retailers on platforms like Shopee, Lazada, TikTok, and Facebook Marketplace selling skin-lightening products containing mercury.
- Mercury is a highly toxic substance capable of causing severe neurological, immune, and organ damage; fetal exposure poses particular developmental risks.
- The watchdog group is urging online platforms to remove these products to comply with the Internet Transactions Act of 2023.
Banned Products
The FDA has issued public health warnings against the following specific products:
- 88 Total White Underarm Cream (FDA Advisory No. 2021-1187)
- Goree Beauty Cream with Lycopene, Avocado and Aloe Vera (FDA Advisory No. 2017-289)
- Goree Day and Night Cream (FDA Advisory No. 2017-289)
- Goree Gold 24K Beauty Cream (FDA Advisory No. 2023-2392)
- Goree Beauty Product Set (4-in-1) (FDA Advisory No. 2025-1356)
- Parley Goldie Advanced Beauty Cream (FDA Advisory No. 2021-3043)
Health Risks of Mercury
- Mercury exposure impacts the nervous, digestive, and immune systems, as well as the kidneys, skin, eyes, and lungs.
- Reported symptoms of mercury toxicity include tremors, insomnia, memory loss, headaches, and impaired cognitive or motor function.
- Inorganic mercury salts are corrosive and may cause kidney toxicity if ingested.
Regulatory Requirements
- BAN Toxics argues that selling these items violates the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
- The group calls for:
- Stricter border controls by the Bureau of Customs.
- Consistent post-market surveillance by the FDA.
- Enhanced enforcement of product standards and e-commerce compliance by the Department of Trade and Industry.
- Removal of violative items by online shopping platforms in accordance with Republic Act No. 11967.