The Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) today (April 26) urged members of public not to use two types of cosmetic cream with mercury and lead content exceeding the permissible limit.
Customs officers have recently drawn from the market samples of a cosmetic cream for safety tests by the Government Chemist. The mercury content of the samples of two types of facial cream, "TULL JYE NORMAL CREAM A" and "TULL JYE BLEACHING CREAM", was found to range from 3,000 parts per million (ppm) to 17,000ppm and from 1.8ppm to 25ppm respectively, while the lead content of the samples of "TULL JYE BLEACHING CREAM" was found to range from 630ppm to 770ppm. The tolerable limit of mercury and lead content stipulated in the Hygienic Standards for Cosmetics of the National Standard of the People's Republic of China is 1ppm and 40ppm respectively.
The C&ED has seized 31 boxes of "TULL JYE NORMAL CREAM A" and 20 boxes of "TULL JYE BLEACHING CREAM" from two shops in North Point. Enforcement actions are continuing.
According to medical advice, mercury poisoning can be caused by an overdose of mercury in the body, causing damage mainly to the nervous system and kidneys. Symptoms may include tremors, irritability, insomnia, memory deterioration, difficulty in concentrating, impaired hearing and vision or change in taste. In most severe cases, renal failure may occur. Lead is toxic and can damage the nervous system, liver and kidneys. Early symptoms of lead poisoning include loss of appetite and weight, fatigue, and weak limbs.
A C&ED spokesman said that the department was committed to the protection of consumer interests by ensuring that consumer goods, including cosmetic products, were reasonably safe for use by consumers.
"The department keeps a close watch on unsafe products announced by local, Mainland and overseas authorities, and regularly conducts spot checks at retailers and draws samples for safety tests," he added.
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 requirements 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 imprisonment for two years on subsequent conviction.
Ends/Monday, April 26, 2010
