By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA – A group warned the public on Monday (August 5, 2024) about a lip gloss product that contains a banned colorant following an advisory from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
In July, the FDA advised the public not to purchase or use Meiya Matte Lipgloss – ME-6058 after it tested positive for the banned colorant rhodamine B.
According to market monitoring conducted by the EcoWaste Coalition, this lip gloss product is being offered for sale in some physical and online stores.
However, the lot/batch number, production, and expiry dates of the items purchased online and seen in retail stores in Malabon City differ from the product tested by the FDA.
“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,” the group said.
According to the FDA, rhodamine B “can pose a potential health hazard to the general public and may result in adverse reactions.”
The FDA earlier called on concerned establishments not to distribute the said lip gloss. 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.
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