[Exclusive] Prohibited Ingredient Detected in Some Overseas-Sold Medicube 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-sold units of APR's flagship product, Medicube 'PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream'.
According to Financial News reporting on the 3rd, Sudan IV, which is prohibited for use in cosmetics, was detected in some production batches of Medicube's 'PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream' distributed by a local seller in Singapore.
In fact, on July 31, Singapore's Health Sciences Authority (HSA) ordered three companies selling Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream locally—APR Singapore (APR SG Pte. Ltd.), Venus Beauty (Venus Beauty Pte. Ltd.), and RIRORA INTERNATIONAL PTE. LTD.—to suspend sales and conducted sample testing. The tests found trace amounts of Sudan IV in two samples of APR cosmetic 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 substances suspected of being genotoxic or carcinogenic. In Korea, it was designated as an ingredient prohibited for use in cosmetics in 2010, and in February, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety ordered recalls after the ingredient was detected in some cosmetics from other brands distributed domestically.
As an additional safety measure, HSA required the three local companies selling APR products to have every production batch of Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream intended for sale in Singapore tested by an accredited testing institution before supply, confirming that Sudan IV was not detected. This effectively represents a significant strengthening of local sales procedures.
Sudan Red pigments, including Sudan IV, are prohibited ingredients for use in cosmetics in Singapore. HSA explained that, because the amount detected was trace, the likelihood of serious health risks to existing users was low, and that no adverse events related to the product had been reported in Singapore to date. However, it urged consumers to stop using the products in which the issue was confirmed.
HSA also emphasized that filing a cosmetic product notification does not mean that HSA has evaluated, approved, or certified the product. Currently, supplying cosmetics that violate regulations in Singapore, including products containing prohibited ingredients, may result in a fine of up to 50,000 Singapore dollars (approximately 54 million Korean won) or imprisonment for up to two years.
HSA emphasized, "Singapore's health authorities will continue to closely monitor the situation and take the necessary regulatory measures to protect public health."
Hong Kong Customs also announced in July that Sudan Red had been detected in APR's Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream products being sold on the market.
An APR official explained, "Regarding the two batches in which HSA reported trace amounts of Sudan IV, our official shipment and export records contain no evidence that they were exported to Singapore. We did not supply the product in question to Venus Beauty." The official added, "After becoming aware of the Hong Kong issue on July 24, we proactively suspended sales in Asia. Following local testing conducted at HSA's request, the suspension of sales and supply was lifted on August 26 after confirming that no Sudan IV was detected."
On August 26, HSA ordered a recall of the production batches in which the issue was confirmed. However, Sudan IV was not detected in samples submitted by APR Singapore and RIRORA INTERNATIONAL PTE. LTD., and sales of those production batches were allowed to resume.
As an additional safety measure, HSA required the three local companies selling APR products to have every production batch of Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream intended for sale in Singapore tested by an accredited testing institution before supply, confirming that Sudan IV was not detected. This effectively represents a significant strengthening of local sales procedures.
Sudan Red pigments, including Sudan IV, are prohibited ingredients for use in cosmetics in Singapore. HSA explained that, because the amount detected was trace, the likelihood of serious health risks to existing users was low, and that no adverse events related to the product had been reported in Singapore to date. However, it urged consumers to stop using the products in which the issue was confirmed.
HSA also emphasized that filing a cosmetic product notification does not mean that HSA has evaluated, approved, or certified the product. Currently, supplying cosmetics that violate regulations in Singapore, including products containing prohibited ingredients, may result in a fine of up to 50,000 Singapore dollars (approximately 54 million Korean won) or imprisonment for up to two years.
HSA emphasized, "Singapore's health authorities will continue to closely monitor the situation and take the necessary regulatory measures to protect public health."
Hong Kong Customs also announced in July that Sudan Red had been detected in APR's Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream products being sold on the market.
An APR official explained, "Regarding the two batches in which HSA reported trace amounts of Sudan IV, our official shipment and export records contain no evidence that they were exported to Singapore. We did not supply the product in question to Venus Beauty." The official added, "After becoming aware of the Hong Kong issue on July 24, we proactively suspended sales in Asia. Following local testing conducted at HSA's request, the suspension of sales and supply was lifted on August 26 after confirming that no Sudan IV was detected."
[email protected] Kim Hyun-ji Reporter