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Mercury-Laced Skin-Bleaching Products Persist on Major E-Commerce Platforms
By Drooid · · How we work
Mercury-Containing Skin-Bleaching Products Found on Major E-Commerce Platforms
A recent review of publicly available information identified more than 20 skin-bleaching products that contain mercury and are still listed for sale on third-party marketplaces operated by Amazon, Temu and TikTok Shop. These items appear in several countries despite the products being prohibited under the 2013 Minamata Convention, which bans the manufacture, import and sale of mercury-containing goods.
Background: Global Ban and Health Risks
The Minamata Convention, now signed by over 150 nations, was created to curb mercury pollution and exposure. The World Health Organization warns that mercury can damage the kidneys, brain and nervous system, especially when applied to the skin in cosmetic formulations. Health advocates and regulators have long urged the removal of such products from retail channels, but the review shows that the ban’s enforcement remains uneven.
Ongoing Marketplace Evasion Tactics
Sellers on the examined platforms employ tactics that obscure product origins and ingredients. When a product is removed, it is often re-listed under a different name or by a new seller, allowing the same mercury-laden item to reappear quickly. This pattern of rapid relisting demonstrates a sophisticated effort to evade detection and maintain market presence.
Official Responses and Regulatory Challenges
Regulators, e-commerce companies and multinational stakeholders have repeatedly pledged coordination to eliminate these products. However, the review indicates that current mechanisms are insufficient to prevent re-listing, highlighting gaps in monitoring and enforcement across the platforms. The lack of a unified, real-time verification system hampers the ability to enforce the Minamata Convention effectively.
Implications for Public Health
Continued access to mercury-containing skin-bleaching cosmetics poses a direct health threat to consumers, particularly in regions where awareness of the risks may be limited. The persistence of these products underscores the need for stronger cross-border regulatory cooperation, improved platform accountability, and heightened public education to protect vulnerable populations from mercury exposure.