MANILA — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday warned the public against the sale and use of 12 cosmetic products from South Korea that were found to be containing dangerous level of antimony.
In its FDA Advisory No. 2018-119, FDA reminded the public that the South Korean cosmetic products are banned in the Philippines.
The ban is in accordance with the findings of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) of South Korea that the 12 cosmetic products contain high level of antimony, a heavy toxic metal.
“Anyone is reminded too avoid purchasing and using cosmetic products from South Korea found to be containing dangerous levels of antimony,” FDA advisory said.
The 12 products are Aritaum Full Cover Stick Concealer (#1 Light Beige); Aritaum Full Cover Stick Concealer (#2 Natural Beige); Aritaum Full Cover Cream Concealer (#1 Light Beige & Natural Beige); Aritaum Full Cover Cream Concealer (#2 Olive Green & Pink); Etude House Drawing Eyebrow Duo (#3 Gray Brown); and XTM Style Homme For Men Easy Stick Concealer;
Black Monster Homme Black Erasing Pen; Skeda Homme Spot Concealer; Skinfood Cherry Full Lip Liner (Rose Cherry); 3CE Slim Eyebrow Pencil (Chestnut Brown); Makeheal Naked Slim Brown Pencil Br0203; and Makeheal Naked Slim Brown Pencil Yl0801.
“Anyone who has bought the aforementioned cosmetic products, either from international travel (i.e. South Korea) or social media sites illegally offering them for sale, are highly advised to immediately stop using them and throw them away,” the FDA said.
FDA said antimony (Sb) is a heavy metal found naturally in the environment that can cause adverse health effects among humans by damaging lung, heart muscle, and liver.
Symptoms of antimony toxicity include skin irritation, headache, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, and abdominal pain among others.
“The FDA informs the public that 12 cosmetic products mentioned are not notified with FDA and are not allowed to be distributed in the country,” said the FDA. (PNA)
