T

he Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) pulled 70 cosmetic products off the shelves after discovering these products contained harmful ingredients, the agency reported Thursday.

According to the BPOM, these banned products included 18 makeup products, 44 skincare items and seven kinds of toiletries, most of which were hair dyes.

The findings were revealed after the agency took samples from traditional markets, supermarkets and even beauty saloons across the country.

Head of BPOM Husniah Rubiana Thamrin Akib told a press conference most of the products contained mercury, hydroquinone, retinoic acid, red dyeing agent K.3 (CL15585), red dyeing agent K.10 (Rhodamine B) and purple dyeing agent K.1 (CL 12075), which can all be harmful to health.

"All these ingredients may cause fatal diseases such as skin cancer, irritation, kidney failure and may cause future disabilities in infants," she told Antara.

The dyeing agents are mostly used for textiles, papers and inks.

Husniah said she had issued an order to her agency's regional chapters to "search and withdraw" the products from the market.

In the findings, the BPOM also found several of the banned products included counterfeited popular brands such as Pond's Age Miracle Day and Night Cream and Olay Whitening Cream, and other less-known brands like Cassandra Hair Dye C-14 and Top Gel TG-3 extra cream.

Husniah said the BPOM had taken legal actions against the producers of the cosmetic products containing banned substances.

"We had 50 cases this year."

Law No. 23/1992 on Health stipulates those producing or distributing cosmetics with dangerous substances face a maximum five years in jail and a maximum fRp 100 million (US$10,000) fine.

Husniah urged the public to avoid buying and using cosmetics that did not have the agency's permit for distribution.

She said her agency has collaborated with customs offices to prevent illegal imported cosmetics goods from entering the country but the result was still far from satisfactory.

"We call on the public not to use such products. If they need further information, please contact us at 021-4263333 or email ulpk@pom.go.id."

Indonesian Cosmetics Association (Perkosmi) strongly support the BPOM's actions.

Perkosmi chairwoman Putri K. Wardhani, who is also the vice president of PT Mustika Ratu, one of Indonesia's largest cosmetics producers, said the association had long worked with the BPOM.

"We have given them input on the existing problems faced by the country's cosmetic industry. We hope the BPOM will be able to help us solve these problems."