JEDDAH, 24 September 2006 — Scientists at a Health Ministry laboratory have expressed concern about a skin whitening beauty product from Europe that has been shown to have elements of mercury inside — something which according to medical experts makes people susceptible to skin cancer.
The beauty products are being sold in the Kingdom contrary to Saudi government regulations, which ban the selling and import of beauty and skin products that include mercury.
A source within the Health Ministry told Arab News that the ingredients written on the product does not mention the inclusion of mercury.
Tests have also revealed that the product includes mercury and does not contain anything that would potentially whiten skin. The source also added that the name of the product would not be revealed until the full Health Ministry report is published.
“The beauty product entered the Kingdom through an illusionary company that is not registered or authorized to import such products. The buying and selling of this product is illegal because the company has not been registered and the product has not been approved by the Health Ministry to be sold in the Kingdom,” the source said.
In order to stop the product entering the Kingdom, the Medical License Department at the Health Ministry has also issued directives to officials at sea, land and air entry-points.
The Ministry of Commerce is also presently in the process of warning companies and medical agencies in the Kingdom from using public advertising without coordinating with the relevant government departments.
The warning comes following news that the beauty product may have been advertised nationally. Most under scrutiny are herbal remedies and medical formulas that are unregistered and sold in pharmacies and herbal remedy shops.
Dr. Alawai Attas, plastic surgeon and consultant at King Fahd Hospital in Jeddah, said mercury in skin products is lethal.
“It can lead to kidney failure. The international percentage of mercury included in products is a fraction of ten in a thousand, which is known locally and internationally. Mercury in small amounts is used to integrate the basic ingredients in beauty products. If used in high levels it can make the skin become fair quickly but has serious side effects on other parts of the body.”
Statistics shows that Middle Eastern women spend more than SR8 billion — of which SR4.2 billion by Gulf women alone — on make-up products, beauty products and beauty operations annually.
