ID :
53856
Sun, 04/05/2009 - 08:58
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/53856
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(EDITORIAL from the Korea Times on April 4)- Baby Powder Scare
The detection of asbestos in baby powder has sent shockwaves throughout the nation. What's more surprising is that the health authorities did not know about the manufacture and sale of asbestos-containing products until state-run broadcaster KBS recently reported the detection of cancer-causing substances.
Consumers, especially mothers and civic group members, have lodged a strong
protest with the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) for its failure to
strictly regulate the harmful material. The regulator belatedly conducted surveys
on 30 locally produced baby powder products and announced Tuesday that 12 of the
products were found to be contaminated with asbestos.
The asbestos scare is greater than ever because the tainted products included
``Nuke Baby Powder'' made by Boryung Medience, one of the nation's largest
baby-care goods manufacturer. Consumer fury about such harmful products shows
little sign of easing although Boryung and other makers took immediate action to
recall their products.
Members of consumer rights and environmental groups are considering filing a
lawsuit against manufacturers and the KFDA to demand compensation for potential
damage to babies and family members. How could the regulator and producers
overlook the risk of asbestos to even babies who need special care and attention
to their health.
The problem stemmed from talc, one of the ingredients of baby powder. Talc has
long been thought to contain asbestos. The European Union and the U.S. enforce
stricter regulations on baby powder and cosmetic manufacturers to use talc with
an asbestos content of less than 0.1 percent. In Japan, a similar asbestos scare
erupted in 1987 when it was detected in baby powder and other products.
The KFDA could have prevented the baby powder incident if it had paid proper
attention to the Japanese case and regulations in the U.S. and European
countries. The regulator cannot avoid criticism for its negligence and
incompetence. It has already come under attack for taking belated steps to ensure
safety of food and drug products as seen in last year's case of products
containing Chinese milk powder tainted with the harmful chemical melamine.
Disappointingly, the KFDA has just decided to set regulations on talc and enforce
them immediately. It has only continuously lost public trust and confidence in
its role as the regulator of ensuring health of the people. It is urgent to
reform the ill-functioning regulator to better serve as a true guardian of public
health.
(END)
Consumers, especially mothers and civic group members, have lodged a strong
protest with the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) for its failure to
strictly regulate the harmful material. The regulator belatedly conducted surveys
on 30 locally produced baby powder products and announced Tuesday that 12 of the
products were found to be contaminated with asbestos.
The asbestos scare is greater than ever because the tainted products included
``Nuke Baby Powder'' made by Boryung Medience, one of the nation's largest
baby-care goods manufacturer. Consumer fury about such harmful products shows
little sign of easing although Boryung and other makers took immediate action to
recall their products.
Members of consumer rights and environmental groups are considering filing a
lawsuit against manufacturers and the KFDA to demand compensation for potential
damage to babies and family members. How could the regulator and producers
overlook the risk of asbestos to even babies who need special care and attention
to their health.
The problem stemmed from talc, one of the ingredients of baby powder. Talc has
long been thought to contain asbestos. The European Union and the U.S. enforce
stricter regulations on baby powder and cosmetic manufacturers to use talc with
an asbestos content of less than 0.1 percent. In Japan, a similar asbestos scare
erupted in 1987 when it was detected in baby powder and other products.
The KFDA could have prevented the baby powder incident if it had paid proper
attention to the Japanese case and regulations in the U.S. and European
countries. The regulator cannot avoid criticism for its negligence and
incompetence. It has already come under attack for taking belated steps to ensure
safety of food and drug products as seen in last year's case of products
containing Chinese milk powder tainted with the harmful chemical melamine.
Disappointingly, the KFDA has just decided to set regulations on talc and enforce
them immediately. It has only continuously lost public trust and confidence in
its role as the regulator of ensuring health of the people. It is urgent to
reform the ill-functioning regulator to better serve as a true guardian of public
health.
(END)
