You may have them in your cupboards. Maybe, you use them, still. Beware: they are dangerous, illegal, harmful… and are the subject of a recall or ban by the European sanitary authorities. Underneath, you may find all the cosmetic products targeted by the RAPEX alert system this week: baby wipes that contain prohibited preservatives, a skin-dangerous lightening product, a sunscreen product whose SPF is too low and does not correspond to the indicated statement and fragrances containing unlabelled allergens.
Baby wipes
Brand: Melani
Name: Baby wet wipes
Batch numbers: BB:03.2023, L: 001-120320
Barcode: 3 800200 580381
• Country of origin: Bulgaria
• Notifying country: Bulgaria
Risk type: chemical
According to the list of ingredients the product contains a mixture of the preservatives methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone (MCI and MI), which are forbidden in leave-on cosmetics.
Dermal contact with MCI and MI containing products can provoke allergic contact dermatitis to sensitised persons.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures taken by public authoritie (to manufacturer): ban on the marketing of the product and any accompanying measures
Lightening product
Brand: BSQ
Name: Caro bright+ Lemon
• Country of origin: The Netherlands
• Notifying country: Germany
Risk type: chemical
The product contains an unsafe amount of kojic acid (measured value: 2.95%).
Kojic acid can affect the balance of the thyroid system and also induce skin sensitisation, when used at high concentrations on hand and face, or if used on large areas of skin.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures taken by economic operators: stop of sales (by retailer)
Sunscreen lotion
Brand: Nubian 15
Name: mlieko na opaľovanie
Type: Rakytnikový olej, Betakaroten, D-Panthenol; Vitamin E, SPF 15, Water and sand resistant
Batch numbers: 0402190208BIS
Barcode: 8 586000 081857
• Country of origin: Slovakia
• Notifying country: Czechia
Risk type: Health risk
The actual protection factor of the sunscreen is lower than declared (measured value: SPF 9.1).
Consequently, the user might be under-protected against UV radiation increasing the risk of sunburns or skin cancer.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures ordered by public authorities (to retailer): withdrawal of the product from the market.
Perfume
Brand: Beautiful Parfum
Name: Keen Zonet
• Country of origin: People’s Republic of China
• Notifying country: Czechia
Type: Nº:9806-23
Barcode: 6 937926 316387
Risk type: chemical
The perfume contains the fragrances Geraniol, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Eugenol, Benzyl Alcohol and d-Limonene (measured values: 0.12%, 0.096%, 0.067%, 0.062%, 0.045%, 0.026%, 0.023%, 0.011%, 0.0072% and 0.0031% by weight, respectively).
Since these substances, which can induce allergic reactions and sensitisation, are not indicated in the list of ingredients, consumers are not aware of their presence.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures ordered by public authorities (to retailer): withdrawal of the product from the market.
Perfume
Name: Choco Mademoiselle
Barcode: 7 369412 419613
• Country of origin: People’s Republic of China
• Notifying country: Czechia
Risk type: chemical
The perfume contains the fragrances Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Hydroxycitronellal, Geraniol and Coumarin (measured values: 0.065%, 0.062%, 0.045%, 0.044%, 0.038% and 0.022% by weight, respectively).
Since these substances, which can induce allergic reactions and sensitisation, are not indicated in the list of ingredients, consumers are not aware of their presence.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures ordered by public authorities (to retailer): withdrawal of the product from the market.
Source
• Rapid Alert System - Weekly Reports, Report 24, European Commission, June 12, 2020