Toxic Chemicals Found in Shein and Temu Products

South Korean officials revealed on Wednesday that they have detected high levels of toxic substances in women’s accessories sold by Chinese e-commerce platforms Shein, AliExpress, and Temu. This investigation comes amid increasing scrutiny of these fast-growing retailers, which have faced allegations of questionable business practices and inadequate quality control. The inspections were prompted by rising consumer complaints regarding Temu’s product quality and marketing strategies. During the latest inspections, which involved 144 products from the three companies, alarming findings were reported. Notably, shoes from Shein were found to contain phthalates, a group of chemicals used to enhance plastic flexibility, with some samples exceeding legal limits by up to 229 times. Additionally, formaldehyde levels in Shein caps and dioxane concentrations in nail polish were also found to be significantly above legal thresholds, raising serious health concerns. Previous inspections in July had already uncovered high levels of phthalates in children’s shoes and leather goods from Shein, as well as lead in children’s jewelry from both Shein and AliExpress. Almost half of the tested items from these companies were found to contain harmful chemicals. Reports from the U.S., Europe, and Canada have echoed these findings, indicating a broader issue with Shein’s product safety. Critics argue that the “fast fashion” model employed by these retailers relies heavily on poorly monitored third-party suppliers, leading to exploitative practices and compromised product safety. The ongoing investigations highlight the urgent need for stricter regulations and oversight in the fast fashion industry.