The Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) said on the 25th that, after checking the safety and labeling and advertising practices of 10 "nasal inhalation energy bar" products distributed on the market, it found ingredients in some products that could cause lung damage or allergic reactions. Nasal inhalation energy bars have recently been spreading among teenagers for purposes such as improving concentration.
According to the consumer agency's investigation, one product contained "vitamin E acetate," whose inhalation safety in humans has not been proven and whose use is advised to be restricted in liquid e-cigarettes. The substance is known to cause lung damage when inhaled.
Labeling of allergenic substances also was not done properly. When the content of linalool and limonene exceeds 0.001%, labeling is mandatory, but six products omitted this. In actual tests, these ingredients were detected at levels ranging from at least 0.0011% to as high as 0.4678%.
All of the products with identified problems were made in China, and while the ingredients used were similar to those in cosmetics or household chemical products, they were classified as industrial products or household electronic goods and thus were found to be exempt from separate safety standards.
Many inappropriate cases were also found in terms of labeling and advertising. All of those surveyed were found to suggest medical effects such as "relieving nasal congestion" or to tout unverified benefits such as "preventing drowsiness" and "improving concentration." Nine products were found to have omitted required labeling items such as product category or ingredient information, or failed to include consumer cautions.
The consumer agency recommended that related businesses suspend sales and improve labeling, and seven companies among them have completed the measures. However, three companies did not respond to the recommendation, and the agency plans to request additional improvements through open market operators.