E-commerce platforms sell banned mercury skin-bleaching products
Reuters reviewed public listings and found more than 20 banned skin-bleaching products allegedly containing mercury available on Amazon, Temu and TikTok Shop across multiple countries as of Sept. 1. These listings persist despite the 2013 Minamata Convention ban, WHO and FDA warnings about mercury’s health risks, and regulator actions such as French recalls and the FDA’s published product lists. Platforms said they prohibit these products and are taking steps to remove listings, but sellers often relist products under misleading names or different sellers, complicating enforcement. The findings raise public health concerns and increase pressure on regulators and marketplaces to tighten controls.
More than 20 banned mercury products were listed on major marketplaces.
Context
Mercury in cosmetics has been banned by many countries since 2013. Reuters found banned creams for sale online. Regulators and platforms may increase enforcement and tighten listing controls next.
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