Harmful Substances Detected in 'Rina's Makeup Play' Sold at Daiso

Phthalate Plasticizer Standard Exceeded by 6.4 Times
Recall Issued... Refunds Available In Stores

A harmful substance, phthalate-based plasticizer, was detected exceeding the standard in a children's doll sold at Daiso, a fixed-price household goods store, prompting the company to initiate a recall.

On the 15th, Asung HMP, which operates Daiso, posted a recall notice for the product on its website and announced that customer refunds would be provided.

Daiso's 'Rina's Makeup Play' Recall Notice
[Image source: Screenshot from Asung HMP website]

According to the notice, the product in question is the 'Rina's Makeup Play' set, sold at Daiso for 5,000 won. This China-made product is a set consisting of a doll, a vanity table, and beauty tools. Among these, the doll's face area was found to contain phthalate-based plasticizers at 0.64%, which is 6.4 times higher than the standard limit (0.1% or less).

Phthalate-based plasticizers are environmental hormones that can cause endocrine system disorders. Since children's skin absorbs these substances more easily than adults', the content is strictly limited to a minimal amount in children's products.

The National Institute of Technology and Standards under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated, "Exposure to phthalate-based plasticizers can cause damage to the liver and kidneys," and advised, "Use of the product should be stopped immediately."

Accordingly, Daiso announced that customers who purchased the product can visit stores for a refund regardless of the manufacturing date, purchase time, usage status, or possession of a receipt until January 11 of next year. They also added that refunds are possible even after the specified recall period.

Meanwhile, in October, Daiso also initiated a recall after detecting excessive levels of lead, cadmium, and phthalate-based plasticizers in over 50,000 pairs of bathroom slippers sold. Additionally, from October 2019, the 'Water Draining Baby Bathtub' product, sold for about a year, was found to contain phthalate-based plasticizers exceeding the standard by as much as 600 times, leading to a collection order. This product was so popular it was called the 'National Baby Bathtub.'

Last year, the Fair Trade Commission filed charges with the prosecution against Daehyun Chemical Industry and Gihyeon Industry, the manufacturers of this bathtub, for violating the Act on Labeling and Advertising. They falsely advertised the baby bathtub, which contained environmental hormones exceeding the standard by 600 times, as a safe product certified by KC. Separately, about 3,000 victims who used the product filed a lawsuit in February 2021 against the company and its representatives for violations of the Special Act on Children's Product Safety and fraud, and the case is currently in trial.