A Decade After Mercury Ban, Toxic Skin Bleachers Still Offered on Top Retailers’ Websites
Reuters found more than 20 banned mercury creams still listed on major marketplaces, despite bans and repeated removal efforts by regulators and platforms.
- A Reuters review found more than 20 banned skin-bleaching products containing mercury available for purchase on Amazon, Temu, and TikTok Shop marketplaces across several countries.
- Mercury-Laden creams remain popular because they are relatively cheap and offer faster results than legal alternatives, according to Winston Morgan, professor of toxicology at the University of East London.
- Sellers often re-list products under misleading names or blurred packaging to evade detection, a practice the U.S. Food and Drug Administration previously sought expertise to identify.
- Amazon, Temu, and TikTok Shop stated they prohibit these products and are taking removal actions, though the World Health Organization warns that cross-border e-commerce complicates regulatory oversight.
- Rachel Doughty, attorney at Greenfire Law, argues that platform business models complicate accountability, noting that laws are "not well enforced by public agencies.
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It promises lighter skin in a few days, costs a few dollars, and doesn't mention mercury in its ingredients. Banned cosmetics containing the toxic metal are still making their way back to major online marketplaces like Amazon, Temu, and TikTok Shop. According to Reuters, there were at least two dozen cases in Europe, the United States, India, and Arab countries in early September.
More than 20 prohibited skin whitening products containing mercury are available for purchase on third-party markets administered by Amazon, Temu or TikTok Shop in several countries, despite decades of efforts by health officials and regulators to prevent their sale, according to a study conducted by Reuters based on publicly available information, which was published on Tuesday.
A decade after mercury ban, toxic skin bleachers still offered on top retailers’ websites
More than 20 banned skin-bleaching products containing mercury are available for purchase on third-party marketplaces run by Amazon, Temu and TikTok Shop in several countries, despite decades of efforts by health advocates and regulators to prevent their sale, a Reuters review of publicly available information found.
Reuters found more than 20 banned skin-lightening products containing mercury, a health hazard, on Amazon, Temu and Tiktok Shop. The online stores say they are banning the products, but many of them were still on sale in early September.
Exclusive-A decade after mercury ban, toxic skin bleachers still offered on top retailers’ websites
By Richa Naidu and Arriana McLymore LONDON/NEW YORK, Sept 16 (Reuters) - More than 20 banned skin-bleaching products containing mercury are available for purchase on third-party marketplaces run by Amazon, Temu and TikTok Shop in several countries, des...
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