Singapore’s HSA seizes 39,000 illegal health products, including cosmetics

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) in Singapore has seized more than 39,000 units of illegal health products, including various brands of cosmetics and weight loss products.

The HSA carried out the operation as part of the tenth instalment of Operation Pangea, which is coordinated by INTERPOL to target online sales of counterfeit health products.

With an estimated total street value of more than $133,000, the products were found to contain a range of banned substances.

HSA seized illegal cosmetic product Tati Skincare, which was found to contain high mercury levels and potent banned ingredients in June this year.

The product is reported to have resurfaced online this month and was being advertised as new and improved Tati Skincare by illegal manufacturers to avoid detection by authorities.

Upon analysis, HSA found further cases of the use of potent ingredients such as high mercury levels in Therapy Cream 1 and hydroquinone and tretinoin in Therapy Cream 2.

HSA has asked website administrators to remove the online advertisements.

Other beauty brands also affected included AQ Chantique, Bee Venom 4 in 1, and Luxury Signature.

HSA Health Products Regulation Group director associate professor Chan Cheng Leng said: “While HSA continues in its effort to disrupt the online sale of illegal health products, consumers also play an important role in safeguarding their own health by being aware of the risks associated with internet purchase of health products.

“Be wary of products that claim quick and effective cures as they may be adulterated with potent ingredients, and pose serious danger to consumers.”

In addition, the authority has seized several weight loss products and sexual enhancement drugs (SED). Testing revealed that 90% of these contain a banned substance called sibutramine, while some products had potent medicinal ingredients.

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Image: HSA seized AQ Chantique’s illegal cosmetic products. Photo: courtesy of Health Sciences Authority.