Hong Kong Customs today (July 24) alerted members of the public to a model of unsafe collagen cream as test results indicated that it contains prohibited ingredient Sudan Red. For safety’s sake, people should stop using the product. Customs appeals to traders to remove the collagen cream from their shelves.
Customs followed up on earlier media reports and discovered that a model of suspected unsafe collagen cream was being supplied on the market. Customs officers immediately conducted inspections in different districts and purchased the product concerned for safety testing. Results from the Government Laboratory revealed that the product concerned contained Sudan Red, which is a prohibited ingredient as stipulated in the relevant safety and technical standards for cosmetics. The product was suspected to be in contravention of the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance (CGSO).
Moreover, Customs also found that the concerned product only bore warnings or cautions in English and Korean, without any Chinese warnings or cautions, suspected to be in contravention of the Consumer Goods Safety Regulation (CGSR), a subsidiary legislation of the CGSO.
Customs officers later conducted an operation and searched the premises of the retailer involved in the case. No other suspected unsafe collagen cream was found.
Customs reminds members of the public to observe the following safety tips when purchasing and using beauty products:
– Do not buy or use beauty products of unknown composition or from doubtful sources;
– Stop using the beauty products and consider seeking medical advice if feeling unwell after use; and
– Purchase beauty products at reputable retail shops.
Customs is committed to the protection of consumer interests and regularly conducts spot checks and safety tests on consumer goods to ensure that they are reasonably safe for use by consumers.
Customs also reminds traders to comply with the statutory requirements of the CGSO to protect the safety of consumers. Under the CGSO, 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. Under the CGSR, where consumer goods or their packages are marked with warnings or cautions with respect to their safe keeping, use, consumption or disposal, such warnings or cautions shall be in both English and Chinese languages. Moreover, the warning or caution phrases must be legibly and conspicuously shown on the goods, any package of the goods, a label securely affixed to the package or a document enclosed in the package.
The maximum penalty upon conviction 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.
Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the CGSO to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account ([email protected]) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).