THE Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a public warning against a cosmetic product being sold online without the necessary product documentation.
In Advisory No. 2020-2188, the FDA said it is warning the public from purchasing and using the unauthorized POUF! Everyday Cologne Spray because post marketing surveillance shows the product has no valid Certificate of Product Notification.
“Potential hazards may come from ingredients that are not allowed to be part of a cosmetic product or from the contamination of heavy metals. The use of substandard and possibly adulterated cosmetic products may result to adverse reactions including, but not limited to, skin irritation, itchiness, anaphylactic shock and organ failure,” the FDA said.
“All FDA Regional Field Offices and Regulatory Enforcement Units, in coordination with law enforcement agencies and Local Government Units, are requested to ensure that violative products are not sold or made available in the market or areas of their jurisdiction,” it added.
POUF! is a product line owned and marketed by TGWW Everyday Lifestyle Studio, a company whose name supposedly comes from the initials of an actress and vlogger. The said company was registered as a firm that is supposed to sell only bags, notebooks, and toiletries.
The product and the company are included in the list of brands being complained by consumer group Action for Consumerism and Transparency in Nation Building (Action), which said that cosmetic products are being sold online, without necessary licenses from FDA.
A check with a popular online shopping site showed that POUF! is still being sold on its platform.
FDA Director General Eric Domingo earlier said those who sell cosmetic products without government license and registration could be criminally charged for violation of Republic Act 8711, or the FDA Act of 2009.
According to section 12 of the said law, violators of this act could suffer the penalty of imprisonment ranging from one (1) year but not more than ten (10) years or a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) but not more than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000).
“The FDA reminds all concerned that it is illegal to sell registrable and notifiable drugs, food products, medical devices, cosmetics, toys, child care items, and household substances without proper authorization,” Domingo said.
