Editor’s Note
**Editor’s Note:** This article reports on a nationwide recall of jewelry sold on Temu, citing excessive levels of lead, nickel, and cadmium that pose a chemical risk. We have verified the recall notice and regulatory concerns.
Temu: Jewelry Recalled Across France for ‘Chemical Risk’
Earrings and necklaces are currently being recalled due to lead, nickel, and cadmium content exceeding regulatory limits.
(©Mojahid Mottakin / Adobestock)
By Briac Trébert
Published: Sep 27, 2024 at 14:59 UTC
Attention if you use the Chinese platform Temu, which is booming thanks to its low prices. Since Thursday, September 26, 2024, the e-commerce site has been recalling several products: these are “zinc alloy with three layers of rhinestone” earrings, as well as a “gold or silver alloy necklace with a fringe and bohemian rhinestone pendant.”
The brand touts these as “retro and elegant style” jewelry, but they present a “chemical risk,” details the Rappel Conso website, the hazardous product alert site.
It turns out that these June Jewelry earrings sold on Temu have a “released nickel” content exceeding the regulatory limit. They also have a lead content “above the regulatory limit.”
For the necklace, the measured cadmium content exceeds the regulatory limit.
What to do? “Stop using or destroy the product,” summarizes the government site. Temu has committed to providing refunds.
Costume jewelry is subject to specific regulations due to the toxicity of lead, nickel, and cadmium.
But in France, the nickel content in certain products “intended for direct and prolonged contact with the skin” (jewelry, buttons, watch clasps, etc.) is regulated by the decree of July 18, 2000.
All nickel compounds are classified as “carcinogenic to humans” (Group 1 of the International Agency for Research on Cancer – IARC), while metallic nickel itself has been classified in Group 2B as possibly carcinogenic to humans.
Lead and its compounds are also used in jewelry for their specific properties and for economic reasons. Lead makes costume jewelry heavier, making it seem more “precious.” But here too, there are concentration limits in place.
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