Kanebo recalls whitening products from Thailand and other Asian markets

BANGKOK, 6 July 2013 (NNT) - Japanese cosmetics maker Kanebo has announced that it is recalling 54 of its skin whitening products from all over Asia, including Thailand, after the company received complaints saying the products caused skin discoloration.

The cosmetics contain a substance called 4HPB or Rhododenol, which was developed by Kanebo and has been used as an active ingredient in their products since 2008.

The recalled products include the Kanebo Blanshir Superior and White Deep series of cosmetics.

The company spokesperson said that there had been 39 complaints from customers in Japan alone over discoloration of their skin after use.

A combined 4.36 million units of these products have been shipped by Kanebo and its subsidiaries in Japan and around 370,000 items have been sent to overseas markets.

The recall affects Japan and 10 other Asian markets, which are Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Vietnam.


-- NNT 2013-07-06

If there is one thing I hate, it is whitening cream. It makes the woman's skin lighter indeed, but it is an unhealthy looking grayish type of white.

If there is one thing I hate, it is whitening cream. It makes the woman's skin lighter indeed, but it is an unhealthy looking grayish type of white.

That's what UV blue lighting does....

"skin whitening products ...... caused skin discoloration."

Wasn't that what they were supposed to do?

Does it make them turn green??

"skin whitening products ...... caused skin discoloration."

Wasn't that what they were supposed to do?

puzzles me also.

Sounds like the cream is being retired because it is actually working

"skin whitening products ...... caused skin discoloration."

Wasn't that what they were supposed to do?

puzzles me also.

Sounds like the cream is being retired because it is actually working

Well they don't want all the Japanese men going to Thailand to find a brilliant white Isaan girl. Could ruin the Japanese cosmetics industry..

Looks like it was causing vitiligo, patches of uneven skin discolouration.

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201307240059

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/economy/business/AJ201307050068