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Customs seizes cosmetic products from two shops and a domestic helper (with photos)
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     Hong Kong Customs seized a total of 2,616 bottles of cosmetic cream from two shops in Causeway Bay and the residence of a South-east Asian female domestic helper in Sha Tin on November 20 and 24 respectively after the Department of Health (DH) announced a case of suspected mercury poisoning involving cosmetic cream on November 20.

     On November 20, the DH called on people not to use two cosmetic products called "Natural 99 yellow cream - day cream" and "Natural 99 white cream - night cream".

     Officers of the Customs and Excise Department immediately conducted territory-wide spot checks to ascertain whether the products in question were available in the market.

     During the spot checks, 1,188 bottles of "Natural 99 Vitamin E Plus" (yellow cream) and 900 bottles of "Natural 99 Vitamin E Plus" (white cream) were found and seized from two shops in Causeway Bay. Preliminary investigations showed that the products came from Indonesia.

     In another investigation conducted into the case of a Southeast Asian female domestic helper, 276 bottles of "Natural 99 Vitamin E Plus" (yellow cream) and 252 bottles of "Natural 99 Vitamin E Plus" (white cream) were found and seized from her residence in Sha Tin. Customs investigations showed that the products had been imported from Indonesia for supply in Hong Kong.

     According to the the Government Laboratory's chemical analysis of samples drawn from the seizures, the mercury content of part of the samples exceeded the tolerable limit stipulated in the "Hygienic Standard for Cosmetics" of the National Standard of the People's Republic of China. Some of the samples of the products seized from the two shops were found to contain mercury ranging from 5.7ppm to 13ppm. Those seized from the domestic helper were found to contain mercury ranging from 8,500ppm to 24,000ppm. The tolerable limit of mercury content stipulated in the Standard is 1 ppm.

     Hong Kong Customs appealed to users who felt unwell after using the products to seek medical advice.

     Under the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance, it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import into Hong Kong consumer goods unless they 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, people can write to the Consumer Protection Bureau, Customs and Excise Department, 11th floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, or call the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.

Ends/Monday, December 8, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:16

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