China’s FDA plans to ban use of certain estrogen strains in cosmetics products

The FDA states that manufacturing, distributing or marketing of the banned products will invite a fine of up to NT$150,000 (S$6,514) or a fixed-term sentence of up to one year.

Currently, estrogen is on the list of controlled substances in Taiwan meaning that the use of the ingredient requires manufacturers and importers to seek permit for use.

The latest policy comes after estrogen ban by governments across the world. The EU, the US, Canada, and mainland China had introduced restrictions on estrogen due to certain health concerns arising with the use of it such as cancer, contribution to pollution, the FDA chief medical devices and cosmetics Yeh Meng-I was quoted by Your Health Asia One.

The FDA undertook an extensive investigation into the products of the companies that have estrogen permit. Currently, the agency is reviewing around 200 products to find out if they contain the banned estrogen strains. Among the products being tested include shampoos, skin care products, and facial cleansers, reported Your Health Asia One.

The review includes shampoos and hair conditioners belonging to brand 566 and hair gain shampoo by pharmaceutical company IBL Co.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) released a document under International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2005 stating that combined oral contraceptives — containing estrogen and progestogen — and combined menopausal therapy are classified as "Group 1" carcinogen, Taipei Times reported.

According to the WHO, estrogen is listed under the highest risk categories among the cancer-causing agents. It means that human exposure to the compound may increase the risk of breast cancer or endometrial cancer, according to Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Clinical Toxicology division head Yen Tzung-hai.

The danger of exposure to the chemicals also includes early maturation in girls and increased feminiostic characteristics in boys, he said. The estrogen strains used in cosmetic products are introduced from outside the body and hence carry lower risk of inducing cancer than the risk present in directly consuming the estrogen pills.

However, the risk is still prominent in pregnant women and infants, as injuries on the skin surface may absorb the chemicals. Doctors also prescribe it as a common clinical treatment for female patients experiencing menopause or osteoporosis. However, patients are informed about the side-effects in advance, he says.

The products will be available until next July hence he recommends that consumers check the product labels thoroughly before making a purchase.