Banned chemical found in China cosmetics

BEIJING - Hair care products made by a Chinese cosmetics company have been found to contain a banned chemical, exposure to which may cause chest pain, accelerated heart rate and severe allergic reaction.

The Zhejiang food and drug administration, a local drug watchdog, has launched an investigation into the Zhangguang 101 Co. Ltd. after its products meant for export to Singapore and Hong Kong were found to contain Minoxidil, a banned ingredient, the China Daily reported Thursday.

Minoxidil was earlier used to treat high blood pressure, but studies found that it also stimulated hair growth and slowed balding. However, it can also have a number of side effects, including chest pain, fainting, accelerated heart rate and severe allergic reactions. It was later banned in China.

All suspected products have been pulled from shelves in Singapore and Hong Kong, officials said.

“So far, no products in the mainland market have been found to contain the banned chemical,” Zhangguang 101 said, adding that the investigation was a “normal process”.

The company said an alcohol solution that contained Minoxidil was accidentally mixed with the products and that it did not add the banned chemical deliberately.

Earlier in March, hair cream products made by Zhangguang 101 were found to contain carcinogenic chemical lentine.