Deadly Frog Toxin Sold as Beauty Cream on Amazon

Cosmetic products derived from poisonous frogs are being warned against by regulators, with some being sold on Amazon. The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee investigated the unregulated cosmetics industry, highlighting Kambo, a toxic substance from giant monkey frogs, as a particular concern. This waxy mucus, scraped from live frogs and used in shamanic rituals, has been linked to deaths, seizures, and heart attacks.

Richard Knight from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute noted that Amazon hosts many overseas sellers who are not adequately vetted, creating a 'wild west' environment. He stated that Kambo is one of the products that could be snatched from family members if seen in use. Amazon claims that customer safety is a priority and that sellers must comply with laws and policies, with rigorous identity checks in place. However, the 'whack-a-mole' nature of removing illicit sellers from the platform remains a challenge.

This issue comes as a broader campaign aims to 'Ban the Cosmetic Cowboys' due to harms from procedures like tummy tucks and leg lengthening surgery. Health minister Karin Smith was questioned regarding the legality of injecting penis fillers, acknowledging that some procedures pose significant harm, and the government is considering appropriate legislation.