FDA recalls Vietnamese Diep Bao Cream amid possible health risks

According to the FDA, people who record high blood levels of lead may show no symptoms, although the condition may cause damage to the nervous system and internal organs. Acute lead poisoning may lead to a wide range of symptoms, including abdominal pain, muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and bloody or decreased urinary output. In addition, children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning.

The administration stated that Diep Bao Cream had been sold by Herndon, Virginia-based Shop Me Ca, as well as through Facebook pages and Vietnamese Moms’ Facebook groups. The cream is mainly used to treat atopic dermatitis, which leads to dry, itchy, and inflamed skin.

The FDA noted that the product is packaged in an white cardboard box with a 10-gram white plastic tube inside. All of the labeling is in Vietnamese.

“The recall was initiated after testing by Oregon Health Authority (OHA) found high levels of lead in two samples of the product. As a result of using Diep Bao Cream, two infants were found to have elevated blood lead levels,” says the FDA.

The sale of the product has been suspended while FDA, OHA, and the company continue to investigate the source of the problem.

With regard to the news, Ta Manh Hung, deputy director of the Drug Administration of Vietnam, signed a document on February 7 asking the Department of Health of Ho Chi Minh City and the southern province of Dong Nai to urgently take samples of Diep Bao cream products on the market. This should be done to check product quality, especially heavy metal indicators.

According to quick reports released by the health departments, the product has not been issued with receipt number for the cosmetic product proclamation.