Dangerous levels of mercury found in eight skin-whitening cream brands, BSTI issues warning

The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) has warned consumers against buying, stocking, distributing or using eight brands of skin-whitening creams after laboratory tests found mercury levels far exceeding the limits permitted in Bangladesh.

In a press release issued on Tuesday (4 August), the agency said the alarming findings emerged after testing samples of various skin-whitening creams collected from the local market.

According to BSTI, laboratory analysis detected the following mercury concentrations:

Chandni Whitening Cream (S.J. Enterprise, Pakistan): 120.39 ppm

New Face Beauty Cream (QCI Company): 44.72 ppm

Navia Beauty Cream (Loya International): 59.82 ppm

Navia Whitening Cream: 79.70 ppm

Noor Whitening Cream (Noor Enterprise, Pakistan): 82.76 ppm

Dew Beauty Cream (Creative Cosmetics): 123.37 ppm

Goree Beauty Cream (Goree Cosmetics Pvt. Ltd.): 56.93 ppm

Natural Pearl Skin Cream (GLDJB (Harbin) Cosmetics Co., China): 67.49 ppm

BSTI also said that a wide range of skin-whitening creams currently available in the domestic market are not legally imported. Instead, many of these products enter the country through passengers' luggage or illegal smuggling routes before being marketed, making it impossible to verify their quality and safety.

BSTI Director General (Secretary) Kazi Imdadul Haque said there could be no compromise on public health, stressing that protecting consumers' lives and wellbeing remains the organisation's highest priority.

He warned that strict legal action would be taken against those involved in the manufacture, import or sale of cosmetics containing harmful ingredients.

He added that BSTI has stepped up its market surveillance by regularly collecting product samples, conducting laboratory testing and analysis, carrying out market inspections, operating mobile courts and strengthening its overall surveillance activities to ensure the safety of cosmetic products sold in Bangladesh.

The agency has also advised consumers to avoid purchasing or using unknown or unapproved skin-whitening creams.

It urged buyers to verify BSTI approval and the legal status of cosmetic products before purchasing them, and to report any suspicious products to the organisation.

BSTI warned that prolonged use of mercury-containing skin creams can pose serious health risks, including damage to the skin's natural protective barrier, thinning of the skin, permanent skin discolouration, allergic reactions, kidney damage and disorders affecting the nervous system. For pregnant women, mercury exposure may also interfere with the normal development of the unborn child.