Unsafe Cosmetics Removed from Store Shelves in the EU

The European rapid alert system RAPEX has announced the recall of several cosmetic products that may pose a health risk to consumers. Specifically, these include perfumes and hair care products found within EU countries, including Italy.

One of the dangerous cosmetic products was the hand-washing paste Der Spezialist Walter, recalled by the distributor in Lithuania due to a "microbiological risk, as it contains 8.2 x 10^6 CFU/g of Pseudomonas aeruginosa." Another was the cosmetic cream Biller's naturkosmetik, withdrawn from the Austrian market by consumer protection authorities due to the presence of the chemical preservative methyl dibromoglutaronitrile, which is banned by the EU Cosmetics Directive.

According to the Pharmaceutical Services of Cyprus, under the European rapid alert mechanism all EU member states received a notification listing potentially dangerous products. Although the exact country of origin and specific points of sale have not yet been named, corresponding inspections are already underway.

Cyprus citizens are advised to carefully review the published list of products. If any of these items are in personal use, it is necessary to immediately stop using them. If such products are found for sale, the Pharmaceutical Services ask to report it immediately via official contact numbers.

The investigation is ongoing. The goal is to establish whether unsafe products entered the Cyprus market and to prevent possible health risks to the population.