The Customs and Excise Department today (March 23) urged the public to stop using an unsafe kitchen product.
Following up on a public report, Customs officers seized from a retail shop in Sham Shui Po 10 pieces of metal wire mesh claiming to have a gas saving function when fitted onto a flaming stove. The product name and usage instructions on the packaging were given in the Korean language.
Samples of the seized wire mesh were sent to an accredited laboratory for testing on a hotplate. The result revealed that upon combustion, the amount of carbon monoxide released was about twice the limit stipulated in the "Hong Kong Domestic Gas Appliances Basic Safety Assessment Requirements".
Inhalation of excessive carbon monoxide causes headache, dizziness, nausea and even death.
Customs officers did not find the product on sale elsewhere in the market. Investigation is continuing.
Under the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance, it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import into Hong Kong consumer goods unless the goods comply with the general safety requirement for consumer goods. The maximum penalty for the offence is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and $500,000 and two years' imprisonment on subsequent convictions.
To report unsafe consumer goods, consumers may call the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or write to the Consumer Protection Bureau, Customs and Excise Department at 11/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point.
Ends/Tuesday, March 23, 2010
