Business
Warning to South Africans: Dangerous Products Found on Shein and Temu
Shein and Temu have taken South Africa by storm, attracting millions of online shoppers with their low-cost fashion, electronics, and household items. However, international regulators have raised serious concerns about the safety of products sold on these platforms.
From toxic cosmetics to dangerously flammable children’s sleepwear, these budget-friendly marketplaces are now under scrutiny for endangering consumer health.
Shein and Temu’s Growing Popularity in South Africa
The rapid rise of Shein and Temu in South Africa has been remarkable. A recent survey found that one in three South African online shoppers have purchased from Temu, with nearly 40% using the platform monthly.
Temu’s growth has surged so much that Buffalo International Logistics, which manages their shipments, faced major delivery delays last year due to overwhelming order volumes.
According to Sensor Tower, Temu’s app downloads in South Africa ranged from 72,000 to 551,000 per week in the third quarter of 2024. By September 2024, active users had nearly doubled to 1.8 million.
While their affordability and convenience are appealing, reports now highlight alarming risks associated with their products.
Regulatory Investigations Reveal Hazardous Products
A recent 15-month investigation by the European consumer advocacy group BEUC uncovered severe safety violations in Shein and Temu products.
Findings from Denmark, Italy, and the UK revealed:
- Toxic children’s toys – Some contained hormone-disrupting chemicals at levels up to 240 times the legal limit.
- Unsafe cosmetics – Products lacked proper ingredient labels, exposing users to potentially harmful substances.
- Carcinogenic footwear and lingerie – Some items were found to contain high levels of banned substances.
- Flammable children’s sleepwear – Recalled by U.S. authorities due to serious fire hazards.
- Dangerous electric heaters – Found to be potentially illegal in the European Union.
Beyond Europe, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled 68,000 sets of children’s sleepwear from Temu, citing fire risks. Meanwhile, Malta’s Consumer Council ordered the removal of multiple children’s shoes from Shein and Temu after detecting high levels of cadmium, lead, and other toxic chemicals.
South Korean regulators also found excessive toxins in seven out of 26 children’s winter clothing items sold on these platforms, including jackets containing phthalates 622 times over legal limits.
What This Means for South African Shoppers
With millions of South Africans now shopping on Shein and Temu, these alarming findings raise critical questions about consumer safety. South African authorities have yet to take formal action, but global warnings indicate that buyers should be extra cautious.
To protect yourself:
- Check product details and ingredient lists carefully. If there’s missing or unclear information, avoid the item.
- Be cautious with children’s products. Many have been found to contain harmful substances.
- Read product reviews and regulatory reports. If an item has been flagged in another country, reconsider purchasing it.
Temu’s Response to Safety Concerns
Temu, operated by Chinese e-commerce giant PDD Holdings, insists that it follows strict quality control measures. A spokesperson told BusinessTech that the company has:
- A seller vetting process to screen merchants before they list products.
- Continuous product monitoring to detect and remove unsafe items.
- Partnerships with global certification firms, including TÜV SÜD, TÜV Rheinland, SGS, and Bureau Veritas.
Despite these claims, regulatory bodies worldwide continue to flag safety violations, urging stricter oversight.
Should South Africans Be Worried?
Shein and Temu’s low prices and fast-growing popularity make them attractive to shoppers, but recent safety concerns cannot be ignored. Until stricter regulations are enforced, South African consumers should take extra precautions when shopping on these platforms.
Would you still buy from Shein or Temu after these warnings?
Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram
For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com
