Dozens of products have been withdrawn from the market following alerts from European countries. Toys, cosmetics, electronics and household appliances, vehicles, decorative installations, etc., all pose a danger to the health and safety of consumers.
Several cosmetics with harmful chemical compounds have been withdrawn from the market PHOTO: Pixabay
Every day more and more products on the shelves of stores or in the warehouses of operators who trade online are added to the list of dangerous products, withdrawn from the market due to a serious risk to the health or safety of consumers.
Body care products have been among the “stars” withdrawn in recent days. These are both products of famous brands, in which consumers trust, as well as “no name” products.
On the website of the InfoCons Association, an organization for consumer protection, there are dozens of products that appeared in the international alert for which the withdrawal from the sale was ordered. In most cases, the notifications come from various European countries.
Among the last products added to the list of those with a serious risk for consumers are cosmetic products: shampoos, body oil, depilatory solutions, etc. All of these contain chemical compounds that either should not be found in the product or are in excessive amounts.
Body oil, shampoo, bleach solution – chemical risk
A body oil sold in 200 ml containers, produced by Nivea, was withdrawn from the market on 4 October 2024, claiming that it had a chemical risk, with the alert level being “severe risk”. The alert came from Hungary, the origin of the product being Germany
“According to the ingredients list, the product contains 2-(4-tert-butylbenzyl) propionaldehyde (BMHCA), which is banned in cosmetics. BMHCA may harm the reproductive system, harm the health of the fetus, and cause skin sensitization. The product does not comply with the Regulation on cosmetic products”, it is mentioned in the alert. Distributors have been alerted and must withdraw the product from the market and recall the product from end consumers.
Another cosmetic product withdrawn in recent days is a shampoo produced by Schwarzkopf. It is about the product GLISS Asia Straight shampoo, which also has a chemical risk, in the list of ingredients the same compound is found that is forbidden to be used in cosmetic products.
“According to the ingredients list, the product contains 2-(4-tert-butylbenzyl) propionaldehyde (BMHCA), which is banned in cosmetics. BMHCA may harm the reproductive system, harm the health of the fetus, and cause skin sensitization. The product does not comply with the Regulation on cosmetic products”, is the hazard statement. The date of entry into force of the withdrawal measures is 06/01/2024. And regarding this product, the alert came from Hungary, the product originating in Germany.
Products withdrawn from sale PHOTO: Infocons
Another type of shampoo, with the same detected problem, namely the presence of the chemical compound prohibited to be used in cosmetic products, the notification also being made in Hungary, is Schwarzkopf Schauma – Seiden-Kamm Shampoo, 480 ml.
Also BMHCA, the product that could have negative effects on the reproductive system, was also found in the cosmetic product “Sun Protect & Bronze sunscreen milk, SPF 30, 200 ml”, produced by Nivea.
A product marketed in the UK which also contains BMHCA and has been withdrawn from the market is ‘Veet – Depilatory Wax Strips, Easy-Gel voskové pásiky’.
The country that notified the sixteen depilatory wax strips and three post-wax oil wipes is Hungary. And in the case of this product, attention is drawn to the serious health risk.
A skin whitening lotion that comes from Togo has also been withdrawn due to the chemical risk.
“The product contains hydroquinone (measured value: 1.01% by weight), which is prohibited in cosmetic products. Hydroquinone can cause allergic contact dermatitis and serious eye damage. The product does not comply with the Regulation on cosmetic products”the alert states.
The product was marketed in 500 ml containers, it was produced on August 18, 2023 and has an expiration date until August 2026. The alert for this cosmetic product came from Germany.
