Methylisothiazolinone is a very common ingredient in almost all of the shower/bath gels in Singapore. Also common in some skincare products. Some time ago, I posted about this ingredient that causes irritation, allergic reaction & even damaged a UK woman's face. Some people are allergic to it, some not.
With all the news on Korea's unscrupulous companies & politics (Hanjin? Nongshim?), I haven't been trusting Korean products these days. Particularly their food. Have to buy very carefully.
Nongshim noodles was involved in a recall some time ago. And I've been avoiding the brand (except recently, I saw the ingredients seemed ok in their snacks.).
Not surprisingly, now the Korean toothpastes are affected. Before purchasing recently, I was quite uncertain whether to buy. These are big, popular brands in Korea. But that doesn't mean the toothpastes are fine.
But the Korean packaging is always so very attractive. For instance, LG's latest pump bottle toothpaste with the popular Korean actor (Song Joong Ki) as their ambassador. I bought the Bamboo Salt mint flavor because of the interesting large pump bottle idea.
The very cheap pricing is also an indicator of the quality (cheap chemicals). You can easily get packs of 6 toothpaste tubes for just some dollars online.
Thank goodness I had the 6th sense to avoid the Median toothpastes (AmorePacific) because the packaging wasn't attractive enough & the reviews didn't say anything particularly good about using them. They just didn't look outstanding to me.
All the while choosing Korean toothpastes online, I was considering whether it's safe. There are no English ingredients list. The websites don't list the "No" this, "No" that. Meaning, they may contain undesirable chemicals. However, the buyers' reviews gave them high scores.
And I love trying new products with great packaging.
Just now, I was looking for information on MuKunghwa toothpaste that I was going to buy. Hard time deciding to buy because I'm broke. Then out pops this recent (Sept 2016) information on google:
AmorePacific halts sales of 11 kinds of toothpastes over controversial chemicals
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/business/2016/09/27/88/0501000000AEN20160927007651320F.html
AmorePacific Co., South Korea's leading cosmetic maker, said Tuesday it has halted sales of some of its toothpastes containing the same chemicals used in the toxic humidifier sterilizers...
...consumers remain unconvinced of their safety as the agents were contained in the humidifier sterilizers that have led to over 100 deaths by causing lung problems of infants and pregnant women.
On Tuesday, the food safety administration said it has discovered about 10 other toothpaste and mouthwash manufacturers have used the controversial materials in their products, including Aekyung and Coreana, noting on-site investigations are currently underway.
Looking further, we have:
Toothpaste Recall in Korea
http://www.buhaykorea.com/2016/09/28/toothpaste-recall-in-korea/
On September 27th, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced a toothpaste recall. The recall stemmed from a report that chemicals containing CMIT/MIT ~ considered a cytotoxin ~ were distributed to cosmetic manufacturers by the company named Miwon Chemicals.
The toothpastes affected are manufactured by Amore Pacific. The “MEDIAN” range of toothpaste is the topselling toothpaste products in South Korea. Amore Pacific claimed that it is not aware that the harmful chemical is included in its toothpaste range. (Not aware?? Irresponsibly selling something they are not aware of.).
AmorePacific recalls 11 toothpaste products containing toxic chemicals
http://www.theinvestor.co.kr/view.php?ud=20160927000723
The Korea Food and Drug Administration on Sept. 27 said it has found the chemicals -- chloro-methylisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone -- in a preservative, called sodium lauryl sulfate, used in the AmorePacific products.
Except one, all the products are sold in the market under popular brand name such as Median and Songyeom. The company has withdrawn the products from retailers, offering refunds to customers.
Well then, that's it. Not buying. *takes it out of cart*.
It's possible that LG got its name out of the news simply by bribing the media. Who knows.
At the moment, I am using Perioe (sensitive by LG), Bamboo Salt Mint Pumping toothpaste (LG) & Pomegranate 2080 (Aekyung).
I have no idea what the ingredients are even when they are listed on the box or on the product. Small printing.
So far, the 2 items by LG are Ok. But the 2080 dries the mouth after use. Supposed to contain natural ingredients but obviously, they added some chemicals that aren't helpful (most likely paraben although it's not listed in English). I just make sure to rinse out thoroughly (the flavor is nice, a pity to throw out. I use only sometimes.).
Actually, I use the Korean toothpastes only sometimes because I don't quite trust them, even though I love their cleaning power (very good, even better than supermarket brands in Singapore) & they taste great (sweet).
According to Aekyung (from the above link), they said the 2080 toothpastes are not affected: (really?)
While Miwon Chemicals included Aekyung (another toothpaste maker) in the list of companies it supplied with the chemicals that has CMIT/MIT, the company denied using it in their toothpaste products 2080.
Actually, what made the authorities check these toothpastes? Tip off? Surely, these toothpastes have been on the market for a while already? Why now?
Luckily, I didn't buy any of these (Korea news from above link):
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