129 health and beauty products found to contain prohibited ingredients

MALACCA: The Malacca Health Department has advised the public not to buy or use 129 health and beauty products, which were detected, to contain prohibited ingredients, including scheduled poisons.

Among the products are 357 Nasal Spray, Acai Berry ABC, Atika Beauty Renewal Cream, Bio Dream Gold, Lami, Kopi Pahlawan, Maajun Tenaga Herba-Ubi Jaga, Natasya Krim Herba, Tia Amelia Krim Jaragat and Tri-Max.

Malacca Health director Datuk Dr Ghazali Othman said the full list could be viewed at the Pharmacy Services Department's website www.pharmacy.gov.my.

"About 55% of the products are in the food category, 32% in traditional medicine, and 13% in cosmetics," he said at a press conference Thursday.

Also present was the president of the Malaysian Consumer Protection and Welfare Board (LPKPM), Datuk Seri Prof Dr Saharuddin Awang Yahya.

Dr Ghazali said products like Candy 193 and drinks like Catuaba and Kopi Bagus AAA were found to contain sexual stimulants like Tadalafil, Sildenafil, Analog Sildenafil and Analog Tadalafil which could cause impaired or loss of eyesight and hearing, drop in blood pressure to a dangerous level, strokes and heart attacks.

He said the scheduled poison Sibutramine used in the treatment of obesity in the drink Slimina Slimming Coffee and traditional medicine Phytoshape could also lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Dr Ghazali said the scheduled poisons Tretinoin and Hydroquinone found in cosmetic products like Temulawak Whitening Pearl Cream Papaya and RZAC White Pearl could also cause reddening of the skin, discomfort and skin hypersensitivity.

He said traditional medicines Penawar Sendi Tulang and Reepo were found to contain the scheduled poison Dexamethasone, which could also cause weakening of the muscles, porous bones, increase in blood sugar and blood pressure.

Dr Ghazali said 435 products which contained prohibited ingredients costing RM119,828 were seized in 223 routine checks and 42 "Op Sedar" raids from January until May 31 this year in Malacca.

Meanwhile, Saharuddin said a heavier penalty including higher fine needed to be imposed on sellers and producers of these products to stop their sale in the market.

He said the fine of RM3,000 to RM5,000 for each product and jail sentence of one to two years under the Poisons Act 1952 were insufficient to punish the offenders.

He said from January until today, LPKPM had received 30 complaints from consumers on several products listed on the website. - Bernama