Japanese retailer Daiso has removed three hair dyes from Singapore stores following reports that the products contain excess levels of the chemical formaldehyde.

The EverBilena Hair Touch A Black, B Dark Brown and C Brow hair dye pens in question were manufactured in Taiwan by Kyoto-based cosmetics firm Sunpalko for export to Japan, with the company announcing that it had voluntarily recalled the products in the country.

Having have been on sale since 2014,  Sunpalko made the decision following the discovery that the products didn’t meet national cosmetics standards, with company tests showing the items exceed legal maximum limits.

However, the removal of the products was said to be a precautionary measure by retailer Daiso with the Health Services Authority (HSA) stating the levels were within permissible limits.

A HAS spokesperson said, “In Singapore, formaldehyde may be used as a preservative in cosmetic products to prevent the growth of micro-organisms in the product, in concentrations not exceeding 0.2 per cent.
“This limit, established under the Asean Cosmetic Directive, is in line with the limit found in the European Union regulations for cosmetic products.”

The HSA has yet to receive any consumer complaints regarding adverse effects of using the products.