Health ministry bans sale of three cosmetic products containing scheduled poisons

PUTRAJAYA - The product notification for BL Ledehh Day Cream 2, BL Ledehh Night Cream and For U Night Cream, has been revoked as they were found to contain scheduled poisons and are no longer allowed to be sold in Malaysia.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan said in a statement today that BL Ledehh Day Cream 2 and BL Ledehh Night Cream were each found to contain mercury while For U Night Cream contained hydroquinone, tretinoin and betamethasone 17-valerate.

He said mercury is prohibited in cosmetic products because it could be harmful to health, causing damage to the kidneys and nervous system and can interfere with the brain development of young children or foetus, in addition to causing rashes and irritation on the skin.

"Products containing hydroquinone, tretinoin and betamethasone 17-valerate are drugs that must be registered with the Drug Control Authority and can only be used with the advice of health professionals,” he said.

Dr Muhammad Radzi said hydroquinone can, among others, cause redness, discomfort, undesired changes in skin colour, hypersensitivity of the skin, prevent pigmentation which reduces skin protection from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and increase the risk of skin cancer.

Unsupervised use of tretinoin can cause redness, discomfort, pain, flaky peeling and hypersensitivity to sunlight.

He said betamethasone 17-valerate can cause the facial skin that is applied to become thin and prone to irritation, acne, changes in skin pigmentation and increase the risk of being absorbed into the blood circulation system which can have harmful effects.

Dr Muhammad Radzi said sellers and distributors of the products should stop selling and distributing them immediately.

Individuals who commit an offence under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984 may be fined not more than RM25,000 or face imprisonment of not more than three years or both for the first offence and fined not more than RM50,000 or imprisonment of not more than five years or both for the subsequent offences.

Companies that commit an offence can be fined up to RM50,000 for the first offence and fined up to RM100,000 for subsequent offences, he said.

"Members of the public who are using the products are advised to immediately stop using them and seek the advice of a health professional if they experience discomfort or adverse effects,” he added. - BERNAMA