Warning on unsafe kitchen product (September 26, 2008)
The Customs and Excise
Department today (September 26) urged the public to stop using an
unsafe kitchen product.
The metal ring-shaped product was claimed
to have the energy-saving function when fitted onto a flaming
stove.
According to laboratory test results, the
product would obviously increase the concentration of carbon
monoxide released from the flaming stove by about three times in a
matter of a few minutes, far exceeding the permissible limit of the
safety standard under the Hong Kong Domestic Gas Appliances Basic
Safety Assessment Requirements. The concentration of carbon
monoxide kept rising during the test.
Inhalation of excessive carbon monoxide
would cause headache, dizziness, nausea and even death.
Following up on a public report, Customs
officers raided a stall in Yau Tong yesterday (September 25) and
seized 106 of the products. The seized items were worth
$3,180.
Samples were sent to an accredited
laboratory for safety testing on the same day.
Customs investigation is continuing. A
territory-wide spot check is being conducted.
Under the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance,
it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import into Hong Kong
consumer goods unless the goods comply with the general safety
requirement for consumer goods.
The maximum penalty for the offence is a
fine of $100,000 and an imprisonment for one year on first
conviction, and $500,000 and two years' imprisonment on subsequent
convictions.
To report unsafe consumer goods, consumers
may call the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or write to the
Consumer Protection Bureau, Customs and Excise Department at 11/F,
North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North
Point.
(Reprinted from HKSAR Government web
page:
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200809/26/P200809260252.htm
)
