U.S. Customs and Border Protection via AP
- A shipment of thousands of false eyelashes was seized by authorities at a New Orleans airport.
- Authorities said the shipment lacked proper labeling and was not approved by the FDA.
- "There's no telling what's on these eyelashes," a US Customs spokesperson told a local newspaper.
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At least 3,000 pairs of illegally imported false eyelashes were confiscated at a New Orleans airport on Tuesday amid safety concerns, according to The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate.
The eyelashes transported from China were not approved by the FDA, a US Customs and Border Protection spokesperson, Matthew Dyman, told The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate.
The eyelash shipment was spotted at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and was supposed to be sent to an unidentified local beauty supply store, WVUE-TV reported.
"In general, FDA considers false eyelashes, eyelash extensions, and their adhesives to be cosmetic products, and as such they must adhere to the safety and labeling requirements for cosmetics," US Customs said in a statement, according to the outlet. "False eyelashes and eyelash extensions require adhesives to hold them in place. Eyelids are delicate, and an allergic reaction, irritation, or other injury in the eye area can be particularly troublesome."
The shipment lacked proper labeling which raised concerns about whether the eyelashes were handled correctly or if it was exposed to insects or disease, according to The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate.
"There's no telling what's on these eyelashes," Dyman said, according to the newspaper.
WVUE-TV reported that similar shipments of fake eyelashes without adequate labeling and approval for the FDA are usually seized at the airport. However, authorities noted that the load was "large."