BPOM Raids 179 Dangerous Cosmetics Containing Mercury And Sold Without A Permit

Officers from BPOM examined a number of drugs and cosmetics during the operation to control the content of hazardous materials in Tangerang. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Tangerang Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM), Banten, has again found the circulation of illegal cosmetics containing hazardous ingredients in its area.

In surveillance operations carried out throughout November 2025, 179 types of cosmetic products without distribution permits and containing harmful substances, including mercury, were successfully secured. The total value of confiscated goods is estimated at IDR 145 million.

The head of BPOM Tangerang, Sony Mughofir, explained that these findings were obtained from the results of examinations at 45 locations for cosmetic sales centers.

"Approximately 179 types contain dangerous materials and do not have a distribution permit, with a value of around 145 million rupiah," he said in Tangerang, Thursday.

Some of the confiscated products include Super SP UV Whitening, Special UV Whitening, and Super DR Whiteing SPF 30, which are known to contain mercury. In addition, a number of other cosmetics that also circulated without distribution permits were also secured, such as RDL Hydroquinone Tretinoin, Collagen Plus Vit E, Belle Mate A03 Vitamin C Serum Hydrate, to various facial makeup products including heartshadow, Emina Poprouge Eyeshadow, and Wonder Palette Eyeshadow.

"Indeed, the majority do not have an illegal distribution permit or cosmetics. But they still market it so we make withdrawals," continued Sony.

BPOM emphasized that this confiscation was carried out to protect the public from health risks that could arise from the use of these harmful products. Cosmetics containing mercury, according to Sony, can trigger serious health problems, ranging from skin irritation, excessive sensitivity, to the risk of internal organ diseases such as kidney, liver, and lung disorders.

"Of course it is very dangerous, what materials we do not know. Then when there are things that are not desirable, who will be responsible," he said.

He added that the long-term use of mercury cosmetics can also risk causing skin cancer to permanent nerve system damage.

"Therefore, mercury cosmetics are prohibited by the Indonesian BPOM. Because if used in the long term it is very dangerous, it can cause skin cancer, permanent damage to the brain, and the nervous system," he said.

Sony appealed to the public, especially beauty product consumers, to be more careful and ensure that the products used already have an official BPOM distribution permit.

"You have to always be careful, because later people will lose their own people if they are not careful and careful in buying and using cosmetics," said Sony Mughofir.