Shein and Temu shoes and sandals were found with 11 to 229 times the legal limit for toxic substances, South Korean officials say

• Shein and Temu shoes contain toxic substances far exceeding legal limits, South Korean officials say.
• Some Shein shoes had 229 times the legal limit of toxic chemical phthalates, per South Korea's findings.

Some shoes from fast-fashion brands Shein and Temu contained toxic substances at levels that were hundreds of times more than legally permitted, the South Korean health authorities said on Wednesday.

Seoul's authorities found that numerous products from Shein, AliExpress, and Temu failed to meet safety guidelines in a test of 144 products, per the AFP.

Large quantities of phthalates, a chemical compound that makes plastics more flexible, were found in some pairs of Shein shoes. The authorities told the AFP that one particular pair had 229 times the legal limit for phthalates.

"Phthalate-based plasticizers affect reproductive functions such as sperm count reduction and can cause infertility and even premature birth," an official from Seoul's environmental health team told AFP.

The authorities also told AFP that products from Temu contained higher-than-permissible levels of toxic substances. Sandal insoles sold by the online marketplace contained 11 times more lead than legally permissible.

A spokesperson for Temu told BI: "Upon receiving notice from the Seoul city government, we immediately launched an internal investigation."

"Of the 11 products identified, two items — a pair of sandals and a hat — were from Temu," the spokesperson added. "We have swiftly removed these product listings from our global marketplace and are enhancing our systems and guidance to merchants to ensure they comply with safety standards and local regulations."

This is not the first time Shein's products have been flagged in South Korea.

In an earlier investigation in May, Seoul government officials said that they had found a pair of Shein shoes that contained 428 times the permitted levels of phthalates, according to AFP.

The South Korean authorities also said that three bags that they tested contained phthalate levels 153 times more than the legal limit, per the outlet.

Shein is now one of the biggest fast fashion players in the US, known for selling trendy and cheap clothing that Gen Zers love.

At its peak in 2022, it had a $100 billion valuation. At the time, it was the world's third largest privately-held company, behind TikTok owner Bytedance and Elon Musk's SpaceX.

Shein now gearing up to go public, which could happen as early as 2024.

Temu, too, has become popular in the US. Its website had a 700% increase in traffic in 2023, making it one of the fastest-growing sites in the US last year.

Representatives for Shein did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.