4 August 2024, Quezon City. The toxics watchdog group urged the public not to buy and apply a lipgloss product following a public health warning issued by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).
In an advisory posted on its website last July 31, the FDA advised the public not to purchase and use Meiya Matte Lipgloss – ME-6058 after it tested positive for the banned colorant rhodamine B. The analyzed China-made product with lot/batch number TL20230424ME was manufactured in April 2023 and will expire in April 2026.
According to the market monitoring conducted by the EcoWaste Coalition, this lipgloss product is being offered for sale in some physical and online stores. However, the lot/batch number, production and expiry dates of the items it purchased online and the items it saw in retail stores in Malabon City differ from the product tested by the FDA.
Samples of Meiya lipgloss products purchased online by the EcoWaste Coalition.
A synthetic dye, Rhodamine B presents itself as red to violet powder and is listed among the substances not allowed in the composition of cosmetic products as per the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive.
Rhodamine B has been shown to be carcinogenic in mammalian models and the use of adulterated cosmetics containing this colorant “can pose a potential health hazard to the general public and may result in adverse reactions,” the FDA pointed out.
To protect human health, the FDA called on concerned establishments not to distribute the adulterated lipgloss. It also requested FDA Regional Field Offices and Regulator Enforcement Units to ensure, in coordination with law enforcement agencies and local government units, that violative products are not offered for sale in their areas of jurisdiction.
This is not the first time the FDA has warned consumers against lip cosmetics such as lipgloss, lipstick and lip tint products adulterated with rhodamine B.
In 2018, the FDA issued public health warnings against Andrea Babe Secret Lips (23), Ashley Lip Tint Color Sensational (02), Ashley Shine Effect Lipstick (165) and Meiya Lipstick Essence Formulation with Rich Vitamins and Fruity Nutrition for containing rhodamine B.
Also in 2018, the FDA amplified the alert issued by its counterpart agency in Indonesia, BPOM, against 19 adulterated cosmetics, including seven Ozera lipsticks and one Ozera nail polish containing rhodamine B.
Last year, the FDA also publicized the ban made by Myanmar’s FDA against rhodamine B-adulterated Comfor Beauty Matte Lipstick (12).
According to a paper by researchers at the Department of Pharmacy, University of Muhammadiyah Pekajangan Pekalongan, Indonesia, “rhodamine B is often used as a dye because the price is relatively lower, the color produced is more attractive and the level of color stability is better than natural dyes.”
“Rhodamine B is a synthetic dye that is often misused in cosmetic products. This dye can cause irritation to the respiratory tract, is carcinogenic and can cause liver damage in high concentrations,” their paper published in 2022 said.
References:
https://www.fda.gov.ph/fda-
https://www.fda.gov.ph/wp-
https://www.fda.gov.ph/wp-
https://www.fda.gov.ph/wp-
https://www.fda.gov.ph/wp-
https://www.fda.gov.ph/wp-
https://journals.umkt.ac.id/
