FDA warns consumers over fake 'Korean' cosmetics

[Lite Beer]

FDA warns consumers over fake 'Korean' cosmetics
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- SEVERAL cosmetic products with Korean-language labels have hit the Thai market. They look innocent and tempting, particularly when their sellers say, "These products are good. Your skin will get whiter. They are imported from [south] Korea. They even have FDA licence numbers here. No risks."

But according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), more than 1,000 cosmetic brands have flooded into the market here through fake licence numbers and blatant lies.

Worse still, some brands use dangerous chemicals, so their products can cause serious health problems such as kidney failure, skin cancer, liver inflammation and urinary-tract disorders.

Among the common hazardous ingredients are ammoniated mercury, hydroquinone and retinoic acid.

"Ammoniated mercury will brighten skin in the beginning. But in the long run, the skin will thin out and turn dark instead," warned Dr Sumalee Pornkitprasarn, the director of the FDA's Bureau of Cosmetic and Hazardous Substances Control.

She added that when the skin got too thin, there was a possibility that chemicals would seep into blood circulation, causing kidney and liver problems.

Sumalee said her office had found that such unlicensed products were available via the Internet and shopping centres.

"These products often exaggerate their benefits. To boost their image, they carry a label in a foreign language, making it look like they are imported," she said.

A source at the FDA revealed that many unlicensed entrepreneurs were found to have arranged the manufacture of fake products via agents in Bangkok's Don Muang district.

When The Nation approached a big cosmetics trader in Don Muang about the possibility of producing unlicensed cosmetics products, it explained that 1 kilogram of skincare cream would cost just Bt3,000 and a fake FDA brand and fake licence number would cost just Bt3,500 extra.

"If you want a foreign-language label, we can arrange that too. You should go for Korean language. It's very popular now," this trader said.

A survey around Don Muang revealed that dozens of such agents existed in the area and most said they hired factories in Ayutthaya's Wang Noi district to produce the products.

Given that these manufacturers are ready to print fake FDA signs and licence numbers, consumers now need to be cautious about products they buy even if they see what seem to be FDA endorsements on packaging.

The FDA has advised consumers to check the licence number that appears on cosmetics products against the FDA database. "You can check via the FDA website," it said.

One unhappy customer is Anuwan Boonplook, who suspects she was a victim of fake cosmetics products. After applying face cream she bought over the Internet at Bt1,500 per small box for one week, acne started to appear across her face. "In the end, I had to stop using the cream and seek the help of a medical specialist," she said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/FDA-warns-consumers-over-fake-Korean-cosmetics-30262700.html

-- The Nation 2015-06-20

[zaphod reborn]

Is it coincidence that this comes on the heels of a satirical South Korean comedy sketch mocking Thai monks?

[Shaunduhpostman]

I'm sure it doesn't just stop with skin whiteners either. Thanks all the same for the warning, perhaps I can prevent another neice or nephew of dying of unknown causes in their teens or twenties.

[DLock]

...as opposed to all the high quality Thai made cosmetics you can buy at dodgy street stalls and malls.

[mike324]

Why doesn't The Nation publishes these traders as well as the factories that are producing these fake products?