EcoWaste Coalition, a pro-environment group, addresses the continued trade of mercury-laden cosmetics in the country to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stakeholders summit.
The proposal letter was sent to Samuel Zacate, FDA Director General, and to Ana Rivera, the FDA Center for cosmetics and Household, Urban Hazardous Substances Regulation and Research Director on August 15.
The proposal was put forward as the international community observed the anniversary of the Minamata Convention on Mercury which came into effect on August 16, 2017.
According to EcoWaste Coalition National Coordinator Aileen Lucero, the lead regulatory agency for health products should convene to a multi-stakeholder summit to solve the seemingly interminable trade of mercury cosmetic products especially in skin products for lightening the skin tone.
This aims to protect both the environment and the people from activities that contribute to worldwide mercury pollution.
Lucero also added that the importation, distribution, sale and use of skin lightening products with undisclosed mercury content cause a grave threat to public health. The FDA needs to muster support from other agencies and sectors to put this serious health threat to rest.
The fast expansion of enormous online marketing has led these dangerous products to the fingertips of the consumers one click away.
It also noted that between January 2023 and August 2024,290 stores were found selling mercury-laden cosmetics that are banned by the FDA, despite the global prohibition on such products.
Photo Courtesy: Business World Online