Brunei bans two Qu Puteh cosmetic products

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The Brunei Ministry of Health has ordered stores and online retailers to stop selling three health and cosmetics products, including two from Malaysian manufacturers Qu Puteh, after they were allegedly found to contain harmful substances.

The affected products are Chantique Beauty Slimming Herbal capsules, Qu Puteh Kosmetik Whitening Pro 9 cream and Qu Puteh Kosmetik Whitening UV Block.

In a statement Thursday, the ministry said the products had been tested by the Drug Quality Control Section under the Department of Pharmaceutical Services in Brunei.

It said the Chantique Beauty Slimming Herbal capsules contained spironolactone, while the two Qu Puteh products allegedly contained mercury.

These substances are said to cause adverse effects potentially hazardous to users.

Unsupervised consumption of spironolactone causes malaise, confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, breast discomfort and enlargement, irregular periods, cramps, hair loss and skin rashes.

Mercury is a potent ingredient that is prohibited in cosmetics products as stipulated in Brunei's Medicines (Cosmetic Products) Regulations 2007 as it has hazardous effects on human health.

Mercury exposure can cause rashes, memory loss, muscle weakness and damage to the brain and kidneys. Mercury is also toxic to unborn children.

The ministry said the contaminated products are not to be imported and sold in the sultanate.

The ministry advised anyone who purchased the products to stop using them immediately and consult a medical practitioner if they are feel unwell or experienced undesirable reactions.

Retailers of these products, including online businesses, were reminded that it was an offence under Brunei's Medicines (Cosmetic Products) Regulations 2007 to import and market cosmetics products without a Cosmetic Product Notification Acknowledgement Letter.

The penalty for contravening this regulation upon conviction is a fine not exceeding Brunei $5,000 (RM15,000), imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.

The ministry also called on the public to make a report to the Pharmacy Enforcement Section if any of the affected products were still being sold in Brunei. - The Brunei Times/Asia News Network