PUTRAJAYA: The public has been urged to stop using and buying seven cosmetics products that have been found to contain scheduled poison mercury.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the seven products are Dnars Golden Cream, Fjura-Face Polish Treatment, Glow Glowing N Glowing, Apple Diamond Day Loose, 3rd Series Yanko Fade Out Cream Day Cream, 5th Series Yanko Fade Out Cream Day Cream, and 7th Yanko Series Whitening Cream Day.
He said the products’ notifications had been cancelled and they were no longer allowed to be sold in Malaysia.
“The Health Ministry’s National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) is urging the public to refrain from buying and using these cosmetics products.
“The sellers and distributors of these cosmetics products need to stop selling and distributing the products immediately.
“The sale and distribution of these cosmetics products violate the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984,” he said in a statement today.
Dr Noor Hisham added that an individual who commits an offence under the regulations could be fined not more than RM25,000 or imprisonment for up to three years, or both, for the first offense.
“For subsequent offences, the individual may be fined not more than RM50,000 or imprisonment not exceeding five years, or both.
Dr Noor Hisham said mercury was banned in cosmetics products as it could be harmful to health. The substance can absorb into the body and cause damage to the kidneys and nervous system.
“In addition, the substance can also interfere with the brain development of young or unborn children. It can also cause rash, irritation and other changes in the skin,” he said.
Those who are using the products are advised to immediately stop and seek advice from health professionals if they experience any discomfort.