Sachets of dimethylfumarate found in shoes

France

Published: 01 December, 2008

Etam France have had to refund purchasers of 881 pairs of Chinese made shoes from their stores after health authority ‘Direction Générale de la Santé raised the alarm about anti fungal agent dimethylfumarate, which is banned in the European Union, being used to minimise damage to footwear during transportation. Earlier this year sachets of dimethylfumarate were linked with severe allergic reactions suffered by people who had purchased certain brands of Chinese made leather furniture.

According to Associated Press, the retailers pulled the product off their shelves, cut commercial ties with the supplier and forbade their other suppliers from using the sachets.
A statement by Etam said a client developed an allergy after wearing her new boots. A dermatologist she visited blamed the rash on dimethylfumarate. A link between the allergy and the sachets has not been formally established, the statement said. An independent laboratory is currently conducting tests. Etam spokeswoman Florence Troy said one style of boots and a range of high-heeled shoes were withdrawn from 250 stores.

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