***************************************************
The Department of Health today (January 13) urged the public not to buy or take a proprietary Chinese medicine (PCM) called Chi Chun Tang Chu Pai Bo Ying Dan of production batch number 40001 as its microbial content was found to have exceeded the maximum permitted limit for PCM registration by the Macau health authority.
The appeal was made after the manufacturer of the product confirmed today that the batch in question is also on sale in Hong Kong.
A Department of Health spokesman said the manufacturer, Hong Kong Chi Chung Tang Herbal Factory, had initiated a voluntary recall of the product from the market and would surrender it to the department.
Laboratory tests on the PCM in question and other related products of the manufacturer are under way and the results are expected to be available next week.
Members of the public who have purchased this batch of the product are advised to stop using it for the time being.
Members of the public can call the manufacturer's hotline, 2793 0123, for matters related to recall of the product.
The department has also set up a public enquiry service at 2319 5119 during office hours.
Ends/Friday, January 13, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:11
NNNN