The EcoWaste Coalition on Sunday commended the Quezon City government for its continuing crackdown on the illegal sale of mercury-laced cosmetics in the city.
The coalition cited the enforcement of Executive Order No. 2, issued by Mayor Joy Belmonte on February 2, which established a task force to implement a local ban on mercury-containing skin lightening products.
According to EcoWaste, food and drug regulation officers (FDROs) from the city’s Health Department and Special Services Division inspected stores flagged by watchdog groups EcoWaste and BAN Toxics.
Of the 45 establishments inspected, 13 were found selling banned cosmetics that contain mercury, a substance dangerous to human health and the environment.
The coalition lauded Quezon City for its consistent monitoring efforts, which they said have significantly reduced the number of stores illegally offering mercury-containing products flagged by the Food and Drug Administration.
