Bought in Thailand... Allergenic Ingredients Found in Yadom and Tiger Balm

None of the 15 Major Products Labeled Allergens
"Extra Caution Needed for Use by Infants and Young Children"

A recent study has found that herbal oil products, including Yadom?often considered an essential item for travelers to Thailand?may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.

Major Yadom Products That Do Not Indicate Allergenic Ingredients. Korea Consumer Agency

On September 9, the Korea Consumer Agency announced that a safety and labeling/advertising review of 15 herbal oil products distributed in Korea revealed the presence of unlabeled allergy-inducing ingredients, urging consumers to exercise caution.

None of the 15 products surveyed had allergy-inducing ingredients listed on their labels. Cosmetics and air fresheners containing oils extracted from herbs may include plant-derived allergens such as linalool and limonene (used as fragrances). If the concentration of these ingredients exceeds the regulatory threshold, they must be indicated on the product or packaging in accordance with relevant regulations.

For products applied to the skin, the ingredients must be labeled if they exceed 0.001%, and for products intended for inhalation, the threshold is 0.01%. However, none of the products complied with these requirements. The survey found that, among the 11 products for skin application, limonene was detected in all products at concentrations ranging from 0.02% to 2.88%, and linalool in 9 products at concentrations from 0.01% to 0.62%. In the 4 products intended for inhalation, linalool and limonene were detected at concentrations ranging from 0.01% to 0.74%.

The Korea Consumer Agency also warned that products containing high concentrations of menthol could be especially dangerous for infants and young children. A representative from the agency stated, "Menthol is primarily used to provide a cooling and refreshing sensation and can be used without restriction in foods and cosmetics. However, the European Union prohibits the use of peppermint oil, which contains menthol as its main ingredient, for children under two years old, as it may cause side effects such as apnea and convulsions."