- JEDDAH: The Saudi Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday warned consumers against using nine hair straightening preparations that were found to contain excessive formaldehyde.
An advisory posted on the agency's website identified the products as:
• Brazilin Keratin - Advance Formula
• Brazilin Keratin - Chocolate
• Global Keratin - Functional Keratin Hair Taming System
• Gjarrah Keratin - Pro Line
• Global Keratin Hair Taming System with Juvexin
• Inoar Hair Straightener Cream
• Enzo Brazilian Keratin
• Keratin Treatment Normal, and
• Krystalline Heat Protection.
The agency said tests have shown that the nine preparations contained formaldehyde that were beyond 0.2% as stipulated in the Gulf standard No. GSO 1943/2009.
The SFDA recommended the immediate pullout of these products from the market and prevent entry into the Kingdom.
According to the SFDA, preparations containing formaldehyde exceeding the allowed level, poses risks to consumers, including irritation of the eye and nervous system disorders of headache, sensation and disorders of the respiratory system such as coughing and shortness of breath.
Exposure to formaldehyde in the long term may be a potential cause of cancer in humans, it said, citing warnings by the International Agency for Cancer Research and the US Environmental Protection Agency.
There have been reports of formaldehyde, a colorless gas that is also used as a disinfectant and an embalming agent, being also widely misused in other countries, including as a fish preservative.
