The Customs and Excise Department today (October 4) alerted parents to watch out for potential hazards posed by an unsafe baby's dummy and to stop use of it immediately.
Customs officers recently conducted spot checks on retailers supplying children's products. Samples of a baby's dummy of the brand Farlin (Model No. BF-001) were sent to the Government Laboratory for safety tests. The samples failed the tests.
During a tensile test, the plug of the baby's dummy separated from its shield. In addition, the teat broke and separated from the shield during a tear resistance test. The detached parts will pose a choking hazard if they are swallowed by babies.
A Customs spokesman said, "Customs is taking follow-up actions and investigating a wholesaler and a retailer. A total of 81 of the dummies were seized from seven branch shops of the retailer. The department has also served prohibition notices under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance to the wholesaler and the retailer, prohibiting the supply of the unsafe product. Investigation is continuing."
Under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance, it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import unsafe children's products into Hong Kong.
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 conviction.
Customs regularly conducts spot checks on toys and children's products and sends samples for safety tests to ensure their compliance with the safety requirements of the prescribed standards under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance to protect consumers' interests.
To report unsafe toys and children's products, please call the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or write to the Consumer Protection Bureau (1), Customs and Excise Department, 14/F, Customs Headquarters Building, 222 Java Road, North Point.
Ends/Tuesday, October 4, 2011
