A toxics watchdog group has warned the public against the use of certain brands of cleansing wipes that contain prohibited ingredients and can cause allergic reactions, especially on baby’s sensitive skin.
in a statement on Thursday, Nov. 25, EcoWaste Coalition said the public must be wary of buying and using baby wipes containing methylisothiazolinone after the group found that various brands containing such chemical are being sold in Antipolo and Caloocan cities.
Methylisothiazolinone, often used in combination with methylchloroisothiazolinone, is recognized as a skin sensitizer or "a chemical that will lead to an allergic response following skin contact" as defined by the US Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), the group said.
Methylisothiazolinone is a chemical banned under Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Advisory No. 2021-2656.
EcoWaste Coalition, particularly, flagged wipes brands "123 Kid’s Baby Wipes," "Dong Bang Baby Wipes," and two variants of "Collagen Make-Up Cleansing Wipes" which are being sold for P20 to P55.
Last year, FDA also banned the same brand—Dong Bang Happy Baby Wipes and Baby Q Baby Wipes—for containing the prohibited ingredients, which are commonly used as preservatives in cosmetic products
“The manufacturers, importers and distributors of wet wipes containing these banned ingredients should cease and desist from making and trading these non-compliant products, which can pose health risks, particularly for babies,” said Thony Dizon, the group's chemical safety campaigner.
EcoWaste Coalition also reiterated the need for manufacturers, importers and distributors of the violative wet wipes to heed the FDA’s policy that seeks to safeguard human health from known dermal sensitizers.