TOXIC beauty products are still being sold in several outlets in Baguio City.
Thony Dizon, chemical safety campaigner of the EcoWaste Coalition, has alerted Mayor Benjamin Magalong of the continued sale of toxic cosmetics in the city.
In a letter sent to Magalong Monday, October 14, Dizon said: "We write anew to reiterate our concern regarding the unlawful sale of mercury-contaminated skin whitening products in Baguio City. Much to our regret, we again purchased such dangerous products yesterday, 13 October, at the same retail stores that we previously reported to the City Government. These products are among those already banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for being unregistered and for containing mercury about the trace amount limit of one part per million (ppm)."
Products found to be exceeding safety levels were Goree Day & Night Whitening Cream Pakistan, Night Beauty Cream Pakistan, Jiaoli 7-Day Specific Eliminating Freckle Cream China, Jiaoli Miraculous Cream China and S'Zitang 10-Day Eliminating Freckle Day & Night Cream.
They were found at the following stores: Jerry & Hayden Herbal and General Merchandise Store on Rajah Soliman St., and Fashion Boutique and Prince Silver and Fashion Boutique both the Maharlika Livelihood Complex.
"The continued sale of the above products is putting the health of consumers, as well as the environment, at serious risk of mercury contamination. To stop this illegal trade of dangerous cosmetics, we appeal to the Baguio City Government to accelerate the approval of the proposed city ordinance, which will ban and penalize the manufacture, distribution and sale of cosmetics with mercury content above the 1 ppm limit," Dizon said.
Today, there is an ongoing effort by the Baguio City Council to enact a measure banning mercury-containing skin whitening cosmetics, which is in the thick of public consultations.
If approved, the proposed Baguio City ordinance will prohibit and penalize the "manufacture, importation, marketing and promotion, distribution and sale of cosmetics with mercury content in excess of 1 ppm."
"The successful conduct of the public hearing on the said draft ordinance by the Committee Market, Trade, Commerce and Agriculture and the support expressed toward its passage by representatives of the public and private sectors should encourage the City Council into fast tracking its approval," Dizon said.