The EcoWaste Coalition on Sunday flagged at least 10 retail stores in Quezon City for selling banned cosmetics and skin lightening products contaminated with mercury despite the effort of the Quezon City government to stop such unlawful trade.
The alliance warned that exposure to mercury in skin lightening products has been linked to skin rashes, uneven color and scarring, digestive, immune, nervous, renal system damage, anxiety and even depression
The group said it was able to purchase toxic products flagged by the Food and Drug Administration for being sold without the required authorization, or for containing mercury.
Ahead of the first anniversary of Quezon City Executive Order No. 2025-2 issued by Mayor Joy Belmonte on Feb. 12, 2025 creating a task force for the implementation of Quezon City Ordinance No. 2767 of 2018, the EcoWaste Coalition conducted a rapid monitoring on Jan. 23 to 26 to verify the current retail landscape with an eye on the illegal sale of FDA-flagged mercury-laced cosmetics.
“We carried out our latest investigation to support the nonstop efforts of the Quezon City Health Department, particularly its Food-Drug Regulation Section, which is the lead unit in charge of enforcing the ordinance and executive order,” said Aileen Lucero, national coordinator of the coalition.
“Our monitoring shows that the problem persists despite the devoted work of the city’s Food-Drug Regulation Officers to seek business compliance with the ban on mercury-added cosmetics. We urge the QC Health Department to go after the violators and to remain steadfast in upholding Ordinance 2767 for the health and safety of the people and the environment,” she added.
The 10 retail outlets were located in Barangays Bagbag, Commonwealth, Novaliches Proper, Payatas A, Socorro (Cubao), San Bartolome, and Talipapa.
