The Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) today (November 13) urged people not to use two brands of cosmetic cream with mercury content exceeding the permissible limit.
Customs officers have recently drawn from the market samples of cosmetic cream for safety tests by the Government Chemist. The mercury contents of the samples of two brands of facial cream, "Santen" and "LiLiki Whitening Day Cream (Cream 911)" were found ranging from 29,000 parts per million (ppm) to 40,000 ppm and from 5,600 ppm to 16,000 ppm respectively. The tolerable limit of mercury content stipulated in the "Hygienic Standards for Cosmetics" of the National Standard of the People's Republic of China is 1 ppm.
So far, the C&ED has seized 71 boxes of "Saten" and six boxes of "LiLiki Whitening Day Cream (Cream 911)" cosmetic cream from two shops in Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun respectively. Enforcement actions are continuing.
According to medical advice, mercury poisoning is 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 concentrating, impaired hearing and vision or change in taste. In most severe cases, renal failure may occur.
A Customs 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 said.
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.
To report unsafe consumer goods, please 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/Friday, November 13, 2009
