Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali. - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: Over 100 cosmetic products were pulled from shelves for making outlandish claims, says Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali.
This came after the ministry investigated claims against 1,775 cosmetic products from last year up to June this year, he added.
"Of this total, warnings were issued to companies involving 283 advertisements that went beyond claims allowed under the guidelines for cosmetics.
"Whereas the notification status for 104 products was revoked as they went beyond medical claims and the scope of definition of cosmetics," he said in reply to Sabri Azit (PN-Jerai) in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (July 25).
Under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations, he said all cosmetic products must receive notification status from the ministry before they can be manufactured, imported or sold.
Dr Noor Azmi added that the ministry's Pharmacy Enforcement Division investigated 86 complaints against cosmetics that were advertised online even though they had yet to receive notification status.
"Raids were also carried out on 444 premises during the same period (2021-June this year) where products worth RM4.338mil were seized," he said.
He said individuals promoting cosmetic products in advertisements were also prohibited from using the title "doctor" when doing so or making outlandish claims about their products.
"A complaint will be lodged with the body governing the profession if a doctor is found to have used his title in the advertisement," he added.
Dr Noor Azmi assured the public that the ministry carried out periodic checks and product sample analysis to ensure their safety.
"Those offering products which are found to pose extreme danger will be ordered to recall them within 24 hours," he said, adding that a 30-day recall period is given for products deemed less of a health threat.
He said those who flouted regulations on the sale and advertisement of cosmetic products could also be taken to court.
