[Exclusive] APR's 'Medicube' Detected with Suspected Carcinogen in Singapore... Local Health Authorities Recall Products
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- 2026-09-03 14:00:40
- Updated
- 2026-09-03 14:00:40
[Financial News] It has been confirmed that a prohibited ingredient was detected in some overseas shipments of Medicube's flagship product, 'Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream'.
According to a report by Financial News on the 3rd, Sudan IV, which is banned from use in cosmetics, was detected in some production batches of Medicube's 'Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream' distributed by a local distributor in Singapore.
In fact, on July 31, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) in Singapore ordered three companies selling the Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream locally—APR Singapore (APR SG Pte. Ltd.), Venus Beauty (Venus Beauty Pte. Ltd.), and Rirora International (Rirora International Pte. Ltd.)—to halt sales and conducted sample inspections. As a result of the inspections, trace amounts of Sudan IV were detected in two samples of APR cosmetics products sold by Venus Beauty. The batch numbers of the products in question are 2E122I, 2E117I, and 2E191G, 2E193G.
Sudan IV, also known as 'Scarlet Red,' is an industrial synthetic colorant that produces a red color. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) classifies Sudan dyes, including Sudan IV, as genotoxic or suspected carcinogenic substances. In Korea, it was designated as a prohibited ingredient for use in cosmetics in 2010, and in February of this year, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety took recall measures after the ingredient was detected in some cosmetics of other brands distributed domestically.
As an additional safety measure, the HSA required the three local distributors of APR to have all production batches of Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream to be sold in Singapore tested by an accredited testing agency prior to supply to ensure that Sudan IV is not detected. This effectively amounts to a significant strengthening of local sales procedures.
Sudan red pigments, including Sudan IV, are ingredients prohibited from use in cosmetics in Singapore. The HSA explained that because the detected amount was trace, the likelihood of serious health risks to existing users was low, and no adverse events related to the product had been reported in Singapore to date. However, it urged consumers to stop using the affected products.
The HSA also emphasized that a cosmetic declaration does not imply product evaluation, approval, or certification by the HSA. Currently, supplying cosmetics that violate regulations, such as containing prohibited ingredients, within Singapore can result in a fine of up to 50,000 Singapore dollars (approximately 54 million KRW) or imprisonment for up to two years.
The HSA emphasized, "The Singapore health authorities will continue to closely monitor the situation and take necessary regulatory measures to protect public health."
Hong Kong Customs also announced last July that Sudan red was detected in APR's Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream products sold on the market.
An APR official explained, "Regarding the two batches in which the HSA revealed trace amounts of Sudan IV, no evidence of export to Singapore was found in our official shipment and export history. We have not supplied the product in question to Venus Beauty." The official added, "We preemptively suspended sales in the Asian region after becoming aware of the Hong Kong issue on July 24. Following local testing conducted at the request of the HSA, the suspension of sales and supply was lifted on August 26 after confirming that no traces were detected."
On August 26, the HSA ordered the recall of the production batch in which the problem was confirmed. However, Sudan IV was not detected in samples submitted by APR Singapore and Rirora International, and sales of the relevant production batches were permitted to resume.
As an additional safety measure, the HSA required the three local distributors of APR to have all production batches of Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream to be sold in Singapore tested by an accredited testing agency prior to supply to ensure that Sudan IV is not detected. This effectively amounts to a significant strengthening of local sales procedures.
Sudan red pigments, including Sudan IV, are ingredients prohibited from use in cosmetics in Singapore. The HSA explained that because the detected amount was trace, the likelihood of serious health risks to existing users was low, and no adverse events related to the product had been reported in Singapore to date. However, it urged consumers to stop using the affected products.
The HSA also emphasized that a cosmetic declaration does not imply product evaluation, approval, or certification by the HSA. Currently, supplying cosmetics that violate regulations, such as containing prohibited ingredients, within Singapore can result in a fine of up to 50,000 Singapore dollars (approximately 54 million KRW) or imprisonment for up to two years.
The HSA emphasized, "The Singapore health authorities will continue to closely monitor the situation and take necessary regulatory measures to protect public health."
Hong Kong Customs also announced last July that Sudan red was detected in APR's Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream products sold on the market.
An APR official explained, "Regarding the two batches in which the HSA revealed trace amounts of Sudan IV, no evidence of export to Singapore was found in our official shipment and export history. We have not supplied the product in question to Venus Beauty." The official added, "We preemptively suspended sales in the Asian region after becoming aware of the Hong Kong issue on July 24. Following local testing conducted at the request of the HSA, the suspension of sales and supply was lifted on August 26 after confirming that no traces were detected."
[email protected] Kim Hyun-ji Reporter