The proprietor of a retail shop was convicted today (February 17) at Eastern Magistrates' Courts and fined $15,000 for supplying unsafe facial cream, in contravention of the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance. The proprietor was ordered to pay the testing cost of $480.
A Customs officer earlier disguised as a customer to test buy from the retail shop a cosmetic set, namely "Yunxi New skin whitening 4 in 1 Suit", for a safety test by the Government Laboratory. The "New skin whitening Night Cream" and "New skin whitening Pearl Cream" contained in the cosmetic set were found to contain mercury content of 16 000 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) and 9 200 mg/kg respectively.
Under the 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.
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, 14/F, Customs Headquarters Building, 222 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong.
Ends/Wednesday, February 17, 2016