Indonesia’s Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) has recently revealed that the majority of illegal cosmetics circulating within the country are sourced from China. This revelation came as part of BPOM’s ongoing supervision and enforcement actions between October and November 2024. While the bulk of illegal products are from China, BPOM also identified cosmetics from other countries, including Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and India. Indonesia Claims Most Illegal Cosmetics in the Country Originating from China, highlighting a troubling trend in the origin of these harmful products.
BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar addressed the media in Central Jakarta on December 30, 2024, shedding light on the dangers posed by these illegal cosmetics. Many of the products seized during the enforcement operation were found to contain hazardous substances. Among the brands flagged by BPOM were Lameila, Aichun Beauty, Wnp’l, Mila Color, 2099, Xixi, Jiopoian, SVMY, Tanako, and Anylady. These cosmetics were contaminated with dangerous chemicals, including mercury and rhodamine B dye. Additionally, harmful ingredients such as hydroquinone, tretinoin, antibiotics, antifungals, and steroids were found in some products, posing serious health risks to users.
Indonesia Claims Most Illegal Cosmetics in the Country Originating from China, with BPOM’s investigation uncovering a disturbing pattern of illegal distribution. These illicit products were primarily distributed to beauty clinics located across Java, with significant quantities reaching cities like Bandung, Cimahi, Semarang, Solo, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Mojokerto, and Jember. In total, BPOM uncovered 208 items of evidence with an estimated economic value of Rp4.59 billion. The highest circulation of these illegal cosmetics was found in East Java (Rp1.88 billion), Central Java (Rp1.4 billion), Banten (Rp1.01 billion), and West Java (Rp4.59 billion).
In light of these findings, BPOM has pledged to strengthen its supervision and enforcement efforts. The agency has vowed to collaborate with other institutions and sectors to impose stricter controls and more effectively eliminate the circulation of these dangerous and illegal cosmetics. By ramping up enforcement, BPOM aims to protect consumers and prevent the spread of harmful products in Indonesia’s beauty market.
