Home Crime Hong Kong Customs Warns Against Mercury-Laden Whitening Creams

Hong Kong Customs Warns Against Mercury-Laden Whitening Creams

Mercury-Laden Whitening Creams

Hong Kong Customs officials have issued a strong warning to the public regarding three whitening cream products found to contain dangerously high levels of mercury. Following a referral linked to a mercury poisoning case, authorities discovered that one cream contained a staggering 23,000 parts per million (ppm) of mercury, while two others from the same brand reached 24,000 ppm.

These levels far exceed the legal limit set by the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance (CGSO) — by 23,000 and 24,000 times, respectively. Customs officials noted that the products also failed to provide adequate safety warnings in Chinese, contravening the Consumer Goods Safety Regulation (CGSR).

In response, Customs launched an enforcement operation, raiding a Central retailer where they seized 352 boxes of the implicated creams. A 40-year-old manager and a 45-year-old saleswoman were arrested but have since been released on bail as investigations continue. Further arrests are possible.

A prohibition notice has been served to the retailer, halting the sale of the offending products. Customs has intensified inspections across various districts but reported no further sales of the creams.

Medical experts caution that chronic exposure to mercury can lead to severe health issues, including neurological and kidney damage. Symptoms may range from tremors and irritability to severe renal failure.

Customs is urging consumers to heed the following safety tips:

Avoid beauty products with unknown ingredients or from questionable sources.
Cease use immediately and seek medical help if adverse symptoms occur.
Purchase cosmetics only from reputable retailers.

Employers are also advised to inform their foreign domestic helpers to refrain from using the identified creams.

Traders are reminded to comply with CGSO regulations to ensure consumer safety. Penalties for violations can include fines up to $500,000 and imprisonment for up to two years for repeat offenders.

Customs remains vigilant in its efforts to combat the sale of unsafe consumer goods, promising immediate action against any detected violations.