Antipolo city: A breastfeeding advocacy group and environmental watchdog have issued a warning to mothers and caregivers to carefully review the ingredients of wet wipes, as some products on the market may contain banned preservatives that are linked to skin allergies.
According to Philippines News Agency, the alert was prompted by the discovery of seven brands of baby wipes containing methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) and methylisothiazolinone (MI) being sold in at least three retail establishments in Antipolo City. These products were manufactured in 2025, well past the 2018 deadline for the removal of MCI/MI in leave-on cosmetics, as stipulated by Food and Drug Authority (FDA) Circular 2017-006 and reiterated in FDA Advisory 2018-034.
The EcoWaste Coalition has notified the FDA about the alleged violation of the MCI/MI ban on leave-on cosmetics and has requested action to protect young consumers from allergy-causing chemicals. EcoWaste Coalition national coordinator Aileen Lucero emphasized environmental concerns, urging the public to limit the use of wet wipes, which often contain plastic fibers that contribute to residual waste and ‘fatbergs’ in sewer systems.
Arugaan executive director Innes Fernandez advised consumers to read product labels diligently, as some wipes marketed for young children’s skin cleaning may contain allergens. She recommended using alternatives like lukewarm water, mild soap, and cotton balls for routine diaper changes, reserving wet wipes for situations where water is not readily available.
The groups’ hazardous product monitoring on February 22 revealed that products listing MCI/MI as ingredients were being sold for PHP15 to PHP53 per pack. Brands identified include Animo 123 Kid’s Baby Wipes, Animo Baby Wipes, Animo Happy Baby Baby Wipes, Animo Magic Fresh Baby Wipes, Kim Best Baby Wipes, Mama Baby Wipes, and New Lovedcare Baby Tender Baby Wipes. Six of these products have expiration dates in 2028, with one set to expire in 2027.
MCI/MI is known to cause allergic contact dermatitis, a skin condition that the Philippine Dermatological Society describes as inflammation triggered by chemical, biological, or physical agents contacting the skin. To minimize children’s exposure to these sensitizing chemicals, the groups advised using lukewarm water, mild soap, and cotton balls for cleaning babies, with wet wipes being used only when necessary.
If consumers choose to purchase wet wipes, they should verify FDA authorization through the agency’s product verification portal, read labels carefully, avoid products with MCI/MI, and reject items without ingredient lists or expiry dates. They should also choose alcohol-free and unscented wipes, avoid use on broken skin, and rinse with water after use to remove possible chemical residues.
Proper disposal of used wipes is encouraged to prevent clogged pipes, damage to recyclables, and marine pollution.
