Medsafe is issuing a warning not to use Goree Beauty Cream with Lycopene, Goree Day and Night Beauty Cream Oil Free, and
Golden Pearl Beauty Cream– statement under section 98 of the Medicines Act 1981.
Medsafe is warning the public about mercury and lead in skin whitening (also known as lightening) creams after a case of
possible mercury poisoning was reported in the Upper North Island.
The sample of the product used by the patient was tested and found to have 24900 parts per million of mercury. Two other
brands of similar products that were tested were also found to contain high levels of mercury and of lead, as did a
second sample of the original product tested.
This is in breach of international conventions limiting mercury in cosmetic products to 1 part per million.
Medsafe cautions that anyone purchasing similar products either here or from the internet should take particular care as
the presence of mercury is often not disclosed, as is the case with this product, but it is often included as an added
ingredient.
The Director-General issued a qualified privileged statement which is published on the Medsafe website and has been
issued with the support of the Ministry for the Environment:
https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/safety/Alerts/skin-whitening-cream.aspBackground:What are the signs and symptoms of mercury poisoning?
Mercury is a dangerous chemical and although naturally present in the environment, it is rare. The signs and symptoms of
mercury poisoning vary widely depending on the route of absorption and period of exposure but include toxic effects on
the nervous, digestive and immune systems, and on the lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes. It can also affect the development
of unborn babies.
More information is available at: https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/publications/environmental-case-management-mercury-exposed-persons-jul21.pdfWhat are the signs and symptoms of lead poisoning?
A variety of symptoms can be attributed to lead poisoning depending on the level of exposure and the age of the person
involved. Lead poisoning may affect neurological development in children, and affect the gastrointestinal and nervous
systems and have other effects in adults.
More information is available at: https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/conditions-and-treatments/diseases-and-illnesses/lead-poisoningWhat are the environmental concerns?
The mercury in these products may end up in wastewater, from where it can enter other waterways and then the food chain
through fish.What is being done about mercury in the environment?
These risks mean that many countries are working to reduce the use of mercury and to limit its release into the
environment. Information on the work being done by the Ministry for the Environment to ratify the Minamata Convention on
Mercury for New Zealand is published at Minamata Convention on Mercury | Ministry for the EnvironmentWhat has been done about product in the NZ market?
Along with the public warning, published today on Medsafe’s website, Medsafe has seized a quantity of skin whitening
creams containing mercury from a trader in Auckland. However, other traders may also have imported and sold these
products, and individuals may also have personally imported product. The alert is published to inform those using the
product about the associated health risks and to inform traders of the issue.If I have product, what should I do?
Return the products to the place that you bought them if possible, or contact your local landfill or Council to find out
how you can safely dispose of them.If I have used the product and don’t feel well, what should I do?
Anyone who has suffered any adverse effects from using these products should contact their local healthcare professional
for advice and advise that they have been using this product and that it contains high levels of mercury and possibly
high levels of lead.How much mercury and lead may be in the products?
Different samples of the same products returned differing amounts of mercury and lead, which indicates there is little
quality control over the manufacture. The levels of mercury in samples tested varied from 12,200ppm to 24,900ppm. The
levels of lead in samples tested varied from less than 0.1ppm to 17,200ppm.Has any action been taken anywhere else?
Medsafe is aware that at least one overseas regulator has previously produced an alert that this product is adulterated
with mercury. See: http://www.moh.gov.bn/lists/latest%20news/newdispform.aspx?id=162Why is Medsafe taking this action?
Medsafe considers that these products are medicines based on the intended purpose of the products and the mode of action
by which this purpose is achieved, and that they would be prescription medicines based on the amount of mercury (and
lead) present. The products are unsafe and should not be available to the public.