The Ministry of Health announced the discovery of the presence of the dangerous and internationally banned substance mercury in four cosmetic products circulating in the country, requesting a halt to their sale or use among consumers in the country.
The ministry said in a circular, a copy of which was obtained by Emirates Today, that the products “Rose Cream”, “Yoko Cream”, “Yoko Herbal”, and “Yoko Products” contain a prohibited substance, and it addressed pharmacy directors and seven government agencies. In the country, to stop its circulation.
In detail, the Ministry stated in a circular signed by the Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Medical Practices and Licensing, Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, that the Ministry of Environment and Water conducted an analysis of some cosmetics present in the country’s markets, and discovered the presence of a prohibited substance in some of them.
She explained that four of these preparations contain mercury, which is prohibited for use, and they are products sold in the form of cream. She recommended not to use or trade these products, noting that they are “not registered with the Ministry.”
The Ministry called on anyone who experiences side effects to inform the Department of Drug Registration and Control at the Ministry of Health, stressing that “this warning is directed to all health care practitioners to follow up on their patients.”
The Ministry directed its circular to directors of medical districts, directors of government and private hospitals, and directors of private pharmacies.
With its circular, the Ministry of Health addressed several government agencies, including the health authorities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology, the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, Dubai Healthcare City, and the Director of Food and Health in the Environment and Health Department in Dubai.
This circular is the second, within three months, issued by the Ministry to warn against cosmetics that contain dangerous substances, as it warned of 16 adulterated herbal and chemical cosmetics that contain dangerous and toxic substances.
She said that these preparations are used to whiten the body, lighten skin color, plump cheeks, and enlarge the chest and buttocks.
She pointed out that some of them are mixed with the toxic substance mercury, and some of them are products that are devoid of active ingredients that fulfill the medical claim, and some of them are adulterated, or are a mixture of sugar and water, pointing out that they are produced in Arab and Asian countries, such as Morocco, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia, and some of them are of unknown origin.
Among these products is the “Queen’s Natural Blend” cream adulterated with toxic mercury and containing a chemical substance, contrary to the claim that it is natural herbs, and the “Natural Durra” cream promoted as whitening the body. The manufacturer and country of origin are unknown, and it is free of substances. The medical claim made by it was effective, and it appeared that it was contaminated with bacteria, and it had not been approved by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority.
For his part, Dr. Ibrahim Galadari, professor of dermatology at the UAE University, renewed his warning against the spread of products containing dangerous and banned substances in grocery stores and popular markets in the country.
He pointed out that preparations containing mercury and cortisone “may be fatal,” explaining that “the substances they contain may leak into the blood and cause kidney failure, skin rupture, liver damage, and lymphoma.”
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