Key facts
- Over 20 banned skin-bleaching products containing mercury are available for purchase on Amazon, Temu, and TikTok Shop.
- These products are still being sold despite a decade-old ban under the 2013 Minamata Convention.
- Mercury can damage the kidneys, brain, and nervous system, with no known safe exposure level.
- Illegal products can contain mercury levels between 10 and 100,000 milligrams per liter.
- Amazon, Temu, and TikTok stated they prohibit these sales and are working to remove them.
- French authorities issued a recall for 'Advanced Beauty Cream - Pearl Shine - Parley Goldie' on August 28.
Despite a global ban on mercury-containing products for over a decade, banned skin-bleaching creams with high levels of the toxic substance are still being offered for sale on major e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Temu, and TikTok Shop. A Reuters review found more than 20 such products available on these sites in the U.S., France, India, the United Arab Emirates, and Belgium as of September 1. These products, popular for their rapid skin-lightening effects, often contain mercury levels far exceeding regulatory limits and can cause severe health damage, including to the kidneys, brain, and nervous system.
Sellers are reportedly using more sophisticated methods to evade detection, relisting banned products under misleading names or through different sellers shortly after removal. While Amazon, Temu, and TikTok stated they prohibit these sales and are taking action to remove them, many products remained listed at the time of the review. Amazon highlighted its proactive controls and seller verification processes, while TikTok and Temu also affirmed their commitment to removing violating products.
Health advocates and regulators acknowledge the significant challenges in policing online marketplaces. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers removing such fraudulent products a top priority and has issued warning letters to manufacturers and distributors. The World Health Organization (WHO) is aware of the issue and emphasizes the need for greater regulation and coordination. French authorities recently issued a recall for a specific skin-bleaching cream, 'Advanced Beauty Cream - Pearl Shine - Parley Goldie', which Reuters had found available on Amazon's Belgian website.