China to halt imports of SK-II if problems show up again

         Refunds offered on harmful cosmetics: SK-II

         Stores remove SK-II's "heavy metal" cosmetics

Customers line up for return and refund on SK-II cosmetics. SK-II, a top Japanese cosmetic maker, took back its products sold and refunded customers at Shanghai International Hotel on September 20. Recently series of SK-II cosmetics were found containing prohibited ingredients by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.(Xinhua Photo)Photo Gallery >>>

    SHANGHAI, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Shanghai Municipal Food and Drug Supervision Administration announced Thursday it had found chromium and neodymium in three other Japanese SK-II cosmetic products.

    The administration said they have now found the banned substances in a total of 12 SK-II products, including three that were not listed by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) a week ago.

    The three newly-incriminated products are SK-II facial treatment cleanser, wrinkle treatment mask and whitening source, said the report released by the administration.

    In Shanghai the administration called in senior management from Japan-based SK-II producer Procter & Gamble, informing them of the finding and requiring them to take all 12 products off the counter.

    Chromium can cause allergic reactions such as skin rash if it comes into contact with the skin. Neodymium is irritating to the eyes and skin and can cause lung embolisms and be a threat to the liver if it accumulates in the human body.

    China's rules ban the two metallic substances from cosmetic products.

    Though SK-II refused to admit there are any quality problems with its products, it agreed to accept customers' return of the products.

    The AQSIQ has reported the issue to its Japanese counterpart and to the Japanese Embassy in China, saying that Japanese counterparts should beef up supervision of cosmetic products exported to China and ensure the products meet China's standards.

    An SK-II spokesman said the company was carrying out an internal investigation.

    AQSIQ issued a circulation requiring local branches to strengthen the quality supervision of cosmetic products imported from Japan.

    Quality problems have also been detected in food imported from Japan recently. AQSIQ said there had been nearly 30 cases since June. Enditem