Counterfeit perfumes may hide harmful chemicals, BAN Toxics calls for strict action

In a crucial development towards public safety, BAN Toxics, a chemical and waste management advocacy group, has issued a warning against an alarming rise in the sale of imitation and counterfeit perfumes and fragrances across the Philippines. This alert highlights significant health risks associated with the chemicals found in these products, posing a hidden danger to unsuspecting consumers.

Recent market surveillance by BAN Toxics revealed an extensive distribution of fake perfumes by itinerant sellers. These imitations, deceptively packaged to resemble leading brands and priced attractively between 50 and 180 Philippine Pesos, are increasingly finding their way into the hands of consumers, the organisation highlighted. Yet, their budget-friendly price tags belie the potentially serious health risks they carry.

In a report by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, it was disclosed that in 2022, perfumes and beauty products were the second most frequently counterfeited items, surpassed only by clothing. This trend has raised considerable alarm regarding the authenticity and safety of these widely-used products.

In recent years, the allure of counterfeit perfumes has grown across the world, offering consumers the scent of luxury at a fraction of the price. However, recent studies have shed light on the darker side of these fragrances, revealing significant health and environmental risks.

The health problems caused by harmful chemicals in counterfeit fragrances range from allergic contact dermatitis to more severe risks like cancers and chronic diseases. 

There is an acute lack of transparency in labelling fragrance ingredients, which poses a higher risk to consumers, according to a report published in a 2022 volume of the Proceedings of the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers journal. It underscored the need for more accurate and environmentally friendly methods in quality supervision of these products.

Fragrances that can potentially be harmful to human beings are commonly found in cosmetics, household products and other consumer goods, and are a leading cause of contact dermatitis, according to a 2021 review article published in Current Treatment Options in Allergy by Springer International Publishing.

Such fragrance components, the report emphasised, are difficult to avoid due to their ubiquity and the vague labelling practices, which significantly hinder diagnostic and preventive measures.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) Skin Deep® Cosmetic Database provides alarming insights into the term “fragrance” used on cosmetic labels. It often hides a complex mixture of scent chemicals and ingredients, comprising up to 3,163 different chemicals. Among these, phthalates, octoxynols and nonoxynols are identified as particularly hazardous. 

Phthalates, typically employed as solvents and stabilisers in perfumes, are known hormone disruptors linked to birth defects in male infants. Octoxynols and nonoxynols are also concerning as they can break down into persistent hormone disruptors, BAN Toxics noted in a press statement.

Counterfeit cosmetic products may contain banned ingredients or be contaminated with heavy metals. The usage of such inferior and possibly  adulterated cosmetics can lead to a spectrum of adverse health reactions, ranging from mild skin irritations to severe conditions such as anaphylactic shock and even organ failure, the organisation added.

In 2019, a study published in the journal Molecules introduced a method for detecting counterfeit perfumes by comparing the molecular composition of authentic brand fragrances with cheap equivalents and fakes. Counterfeit perfumes can lead to health or safety problems due to their poor quality and potentially harmful ingredients, it showed.

Another critical aspect is the environmental impact of these products. Synthetic musk fragrances used in perfumes, soaps, toiletries and disinfectants can be highly toxic to the environment, a report published in Environment Health Perspectives journal in 2005 showed.

Due to their low biodegradability, they persist in the environment, especially in aquatic ecosystems, and can encourage bioaccumulation. 

In response to this growing concern, the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released health advisories against the use of unapproved cosmetic products, including perfumes. The body cautioned that purchasing and using products that have evaded the notification process compromises their ability to ensure the products’ safety and quality, thus posing health risks to consumers.

BAN Toxics is dedicated to identifying and reporting the sale of unregistered and unnotified personal care products in both physical and online marketplaces, said Thony Dizon, a Toxics Campaigner for BAN Toxics. 

The group has approached FDA with a request to conduct Post Marketing Surveillance and to test imitation and counterfeit perfumes and fragrances. It also called for public health advisories and stringent measures to safeguard the dangers of counterfeit cosmetics.

The campaigners also advised consumers to verify the FDA notification status of products through the official verification portal https://verification.fda.gov.ph.