Be wary of banned cosmetic products which have been re-branded, consumers warned

Several health products, whose imports have been banned for containing prohibited substances, have been rebranded and sold as new products, said Perlis Health Department Director, Dr Zaini Hussin.

He said the products from neighbouring countries still had the original content of banned substances and were a health risk to consumers.

"The product labelling and packaging are also different and more attractive, so that consumers are not aware that they are the same products which had been banned earlier," he told reporters after an operation at Arked Niaga Padang Besar here, Thursday.

Dr Zaini said the products which gave rapid results were sold cheaply to attract customers.

"Consumers are advised to study the ingredients used in the products and not be taken in by brand names because a lot of cosmetic products contain scheduled poison like mercury and hydroquinone which have adverse effects," he said.

According to Dr Zaini, 48 cosmetic brands and 14 types of prohibited drugs not registered with the Health Ministry valued at about RM6,000, were seized in the operation.

In addition, he added, department officials also found six food products namely beans, crackers, preserved fruits, pickles, glutinous black rice and chili paste violating requirements under the Food Regulations 1985, he added.

He said most of the food products were sold without labels to indicate the ingredients, net weight, expiration, production dates and manufacturer of the products.

The two-and-a-half hour operation which began at 11.30 am and conducted by 62 personnel from the Food Safety and Quality as well as Pharmaceutical Services divisions would resume tonight.