Authorities in Seoul recently discovered alarming levels of toxic substances in products from popular online retailers Shein, Temu and AliExpress. The investigation, which is part of regular inspections of online goods in South Korea, found that several items from these brands, including shoes and accessories, contained hazardous chemicals such as phthalates, formaldehyde and lead in concentrations well above the legal limits.
For example, a pair of Shein shoes contained phthalates at levels 229 times above the legal limit. Similarly, Temu sandals contained lead concentrations that were more than 11 times above the permitted limit. These findings raise serious concerns about the safety standards of these fast-growing online platforms, which have become very popular for offering trendy products at low prices.
In response to these findings, authorities in Seoul have called for immediately removing these products from sale. Shein has stated that it is working closely with international testing centers to ensure product safety and is conducting internal investigations. Temu has since also launched an internal investigation and removed the offending products from its marketplace.
This incident highlights the increasing scrutiny of e-commerce giants expanding globally. Both consumers and regulators increasingly focus on product safety and compliance with health standards.
Image: Fulvio Ciccolo on Unsplash
