Find 16 Cosmetic Products Containing Hazardous Materials, BPOM Takes Strict Action

Head of BPOM, Dr. Taruna Ikrar (Doc. BPOM)

JAKARTA - Entering the beginning of 2025, the Indonesian Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) increased supervision of the circulation of cosmetic products that are increasingly prevalent in the community. The results of the supervision intensification show worrying findings, as many as 16 cosmetic products are declared to contain hazardous or prohibited materials, based on the results of routine supervision during the period from January to March 2025.

The head of BPOM, Dr. Taruna Ikrar, in his statement stated that the findings were part of BPOM's commitment to protecting the public from potential health risks due to the use of unsafe cosmetics.

"From the cosmetic findings containing these dangerous or prohibited materials, 10 items are cosmetics produced based on the production contract, while the other 6 items are imported cosmetics," said Taruna Ikrar in a press conference held last week, quoted from the BPOM website.

Supervision is carried out through strict laboratory sampling and testing mechanisms. The results show that a number of these products contain harmful ingredients such as mercury, retinoate acid, hydroquinon, lead, and K10 synthetic dyes, which have been declared banned in cosmetic formulations by national and international regulations. The cadets explained that these ingredients had serious health impacts.

"Cosmetics that contain harmful or prohibited materials can pose a health risk for consumers," he said.

Some of the side effects of using these ingredients are quite worrying. For example, mercury can cause skin damage such as the emergence of black spots (chronosis), allergic reactions, irritation, and kidney damage.

Retinoatic acid, although known as a skin care agent, is teratogenic and has the potential to cause abnormalities in the fetus if used by pregnant women. Hydroquinons trigger hyperpigmentation and can cause color changes in the eye and nail cornea. While lead is known to have a negative impact on the nervous system and other organs of the body. The red dye K10 has carcinogenic properties and can interfere with liver function.

Regarding these findings, BPOM took quick and decisive steps. Through a network of 76 Technical Implementing Units (UPT) spread throughout Indonesia, BPOM has carried out direct control to production facilities, distribution lines, to retail sales points.

The BPOM has revoked the distribution permit and temporarily suspended activities (PSK) on cosmetic products that are proven to contain prohibited materials or hazardous materials. This prostitute includes stopping production, circulation, and importation activities," explained Taruna.

Furthermore, BPOM emphasized that business actors involved in the production or distribution of cosmetics that do not meet safety, benefit, and quality standards can be subject to strict sanctions.

Based on Article 435 jo. Article 138 paragraph (2) of Law Number 17 of 2023 concerning Health, violations are threatened with a maximum imprisonment of 12 years or a maximum fine of IDR 5 billion.

"If criminal indications are found, BPOM civil servant investigators (PPNS) will continue the process to the pro-justitia stage," he added.

On the same occasion, Taruna also reminded all cosmetic industry players to always obey the applicable regulations. He emphasized the importance of the responsibility of business actors in ensuring that every product they circulate has met the safety and quality provisions according to the standards set.

Not only targeting industry players, BPOM also urges the public to be more vigilant and careful in choosing cosmetic products. Consumers are advised to always check product legality through the official BPOM website and avoid products that have been announced to contain hazardous materials.

"This is a shared responsibility. We hope that the community will play an active role in ensuring that only safe and legal cosmetic products are used," concluded the Head of BPOM.

List of cosmetic products containing hazardous or prohibited ingredients, namely:

- BOGOTA Night Cream Hello Bright / NA18210103153: Retinoat Asam and hydroquinon content

- MAXIE Brightening Series Premium Night Cream / NA18220112854: Retinoat Acid Content

- SANIYE Long Lasting Capsule Lip Gloss L1135 14# / NA1122130030: K10 Red Colored Materials

- SANIYE Non-stick Lip Gloss L1181 4# / NA11221300225: K10 Red Colored Material Content

- SANIYE 5 Colors Multi Functions Concealer Palette R1179 / NA11220300105: K10 Red Colored Material Content

- SANIYE Fashion Lady Non-stick Lip Gloss L1180 #07 / NA11221300321: Content of K10 Red Colored Materials

- SANIYE 12 Colors Multi-Function Eyeshadow Palette E225 #1 / NA11221200507 : Bad material content

- PEACH Eyeshadow (10 Colors) No. 1 / NA11181205184: Content of K10 Red Colored Materials

- SARASKIN COSMETIC Day Cream / NA1824010593: Mercury Content

- SARASKIN COSMETIC Night Cream Booster / NA1824010595: Mercury Content

- F&A SKIN GLOW Night Cream Exclusive / NA18240105000: Mercury Content

- HELENALIZER Glow Night Cream / NA1824010922: Mercury Content

- MANTULITA All in O n e Cream / NA18240109509: Merkuri Dam

- FLY GLOW COSMETICS Night Cream / NA182401111475: Mercury Content

- FF FIRFIN GLOWING Normal Night Cream / NA18210102641: Mercury Content

- FF FIRFIN GLOWING Cream Siang Normal / NA18210102638: Mercury Content