Loka POM Tanjungpinang Seizes 87 Items Of Cosmetic Products Without A Circulation Permit, Majority Sent From China And Malaysia

TANJUNGPINANG - The Food and Drug Supervisory Workshop (POM) Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands (Kepri) confiscated 87 items of cosmetic products without distribution permits in an action to control the market for illegal cosmetics and/or containing hazardous materials for the period 7-25 July 2022.

"Of the 87 items of cosmetic products without a distribution permit, it is worth Rp. 7 million," said Head of the Tanjungpinang POM Loka Rai Gunawan at a press conference at his office in Tanjungpinang, Antara, Monday, August 1.

He explained that the products were secured from cosmetic distribution facilities in the Bintan Center area, Kilometer 9, Tanjungpinang. The products usually come from abroad such as China and Malaysia, but are purchased online by the seller.

"This cosmetic product without a marketing authorization contains harmful ingredients, for example, Temu Comet Transpatant Whitening Beauty Soap has been proven to contain hydroquinone, which can cause skin irritation and trigger cancer if used for a long time," he said.

Rai explained that the follow-up to cosmetic products found without a distribution permit was to remove them from the display and completely destroy them on the spot.

Meanwhile, the owner is given guidance so as not to accept/sell products that do not meet the provisions, including without a distribution permit, expiration, and damage.

"If they are still trying to sell, we will involve the police to take firm action against the seller," he said.

He continued, conveying that the implementation of market control actions for illegal cosmetics and/or containing hazardous materials also involved related sectors, namely the Department of Health, Population Control and Family Planning in Tanjungpinang.

The Tanjungpinang POM workshop ensures that it always oversees the safety of cosmetics and protects the health of the people in Tanjungpinang.

"To further increase public awareness of the potential dangers of cosmetic products that do not meet the provisions, we make efforts to assist business actors so that business actors produce drugs and food products that are safe, efficacious/useful, quality and competitive," he said.

In addition, providing education through information communication and education (KIE) activities to the public is also continuously carried out so that people become smart consumers in choosing safe cosmetic products.

The public as consumers must also have awareness to choose safe cosmetic products, remember to always check packaging, check labels, check distribution permits, and check expiration (Click Click) when going to buy or use cosmetic products.