South Korean Authorities Find Toxic Substances in Temu and AliExpress Children’s Clothes

South Korean authorities recently discovered alarming levels of toxic substances in children's clothing from Temu and AliExpress, far exceeding legal limits. These hazardous substances, including phthalate plasticizers, lead, and cadmium, pose serious health risks to children.

High Levels of Toxic Substances Detected

The Seoul Metropolitan Government reported that a jacket from Temu contained an astonishing 622 times the legal limit for toxic substances. This jacket, meant for children, was found to contain phthalate plasticizers, lead, and cadmium, all of which are considered hazardous in South Korea.

Testing and Findings

Authorities conducted tests on 26 pieces of children's winter wear from Temu, AliExpress, and Shein. Shockingly, seven of these items were found to contain toxic substances above legal limits. For instance, a jumpsuit from Temu was discovered to have 294 times the legal amount of phthalate plasticizers.

Response from Brands

In response to these findings, Temu and AliExpress took action to address the issue. A spokesperson from Temu stated that two of the identified products had already been removed from their platform before the government report was issued. AliExpress also cooperated by promptly removing affected items from sale.

Previous Incidents and Future Plans

This is not the first instance of South Korea uncovering toxic substances in products from Chinese fast fashion brands. Earlier investigations revealed similar issues, such as phthalates in shoes and lead in sandal insoles. Despite these challenges, Temu's parent company, PDD Holdings, is gearing up for a significant IPO in the UK, targeting a valuation of $65 billion.

While Shein products were reportedly compliant with regulations in the latest tests, the ongoing scrutiny highlights the importance of stringent quality control measures in the fashion industry.

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By: abharade@insider.com (Aditi Bharade)
Title: South Korean Authorities Find Toxic Substances in Temu and AliExpress Children’s Clothes
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/temu-children-clothes-contained-622-toxic-limit-seoul-2024-11
Published Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2024 04:57:11 +0000