• 2022.05.16
• Press Release

Over 80% Rinse-off Hair Masks Contained Allergens 1 Model Contained Preservatives Exceeding Limits 4 Models Contained EU-banned Fragrances Be Careful of Failure in Their Treatment and Scalp Damage

To solve dry, dull, and difficult-to-comb hair problems, many people use rinse-off hair masks regularly to strengthen the hair conditioning effect. Some hair mask products on the market advertise the addition of different moisturising ingredients or emphasise that the ingredients are natural, claiming to be able to turn unmanageable hair shiny and silky simply by applying the product on wet hair for a few minutes and then rinsing it off. However, the Consumer Council tested 50 rinse-off hair...

• 2022.05.16
• Press Release

Baby Snacks are “Sugar Coated Traps” Conducive to a Sweet Tooth 30% Found to Contain Added Salt Not Suitable for Children Under the Age of 1

Appropriate snacks provided between meals could allow babies and toddlers to replenish energy and nutrition, and stay hydrated. Yet, the addition of salt and sugar to foods for infants and young children has been an international concern. For example, the Hong Kong Department of Health (DH), the Chinese Nutrition Society (CNS), and health and healthcare authorities in the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) all agreed that salt should not be added to foods for infants under 1 year...

• 2022.05.16
• Press Release

The Consumer Legal Action Fund (CLAF) Handled 188 Applications in a Decade Over 50% Success Rate in Assisted Cases Devoted to Deterring Business Malpractices and Seeking Justice for Consumers

Encounters with unscrupulous trade practices result not only in financial loss but in some cases also mental distress to consumers. If the parties involved are unable to resolve their disputes through conciliation or other means of dispute resolution, the avenue of redress that remains available to consumers seeking justice and relief would be the courts. Protracted proceedings, the legal intricacies and substantial legal costs (sometimes disproportionate to the amount of damages claimed)...

• 2022.03.18
• Shopping Guide

Consumer Protection Tips for the Closure of Fitness Centres

Should I accept the offer to transfer my membership to another fitness centre as the current centre has been closed? Consumers should understand and consider the following from the fitness centre before deciding : Are there any additional charges...

• 2022.03.14
• Shopping Guide

10 Rapid Fire Questions for COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) Kits

There are all kinds of test kits advertised with official certification. What should consumers pay attention to before purchasing? Research before purchase: Verify the claimed certification and check the expiry date stated on the test kit. Do not...

• 2022.03.09
• Shopping Guide

Latest Test on the Efficacy of 30 Surgical Mask Models – Help Consumers Fight the Pandemic Together

• 2022.05.24
• Advocacy

Submission to Hong Kong Monetary Authority on Discussion Paper on e-HKD: A policy and design perspective

The Consumer Council (the Council) is pleased to submit its views concerning the policy issues of introducing the retail central bank digital currency (rCBDC), i.e., e-HKD, as set out in a discussion paper (the Discussion Paper) issued by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). The Council puts forward its point of views and suggestions regarding policy considerations from the aspects of consumer protection. Overview The Council welcomes the HKMA to invest efforts in researching the possibility...

• 2022.04.04
• Advocacy

Submission to the Travel Industry Authority’s Trade Consultation Document on the Implementation Details of the New Regulatory Regime of the Travel Industry

The Consumer Council (the Council) is pleased to provide views on the consultation document on the implementation details of the n...

• 2022.03.31
• Advocacy

Submission to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority on Discussion Paper on Crypto-assets and Stablecoins

​​​​​ The Consumer Council (the Council) is pleased to submit its views concerning crypto-assets and stablecoins as set out in a discussion paper (the Discussion Paper) issued by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). The Council elaborates below its point of views and suggestions for protection of consumer interests. Overview The Council in general welcomes the HKMA’s plan to set-up a new regulatory framework for payment-related stablecoins no later than 2023/24. Crypto-assets and...

• 2022.05.24
• Consumer Alerts

Prepackaged Organic Milk Pap Banana Peach sample not in compliance with nutrition label rules

Product name: Organic Milk Pap Banana Peach Brand: HiPP Place of origin: Croatia Sole agent: Linberg's Limited Net weight: 250g Use by date: 30/4/2023 Non-compliant test parameters: Vitamin D Detected content: 4.5μg/100g Declared content: 7μg/100g Sampling location: A supermarket at Tsuen Wan District Remarks: The CFS has urged the vendors concerned to stop selling the incriminated batch of the affected product. Prosecution will be instituted should there be sufficient evidence. According to...

• 2022.05.24
• Consumer Alerts

Metallic contaminant exceeds legal limit in two prepackaged dried mushroom samples

Food name: Mushroom Gold Label Small Mushroom Brand: Eu Yan Sang On Kee Net weight: 6 Taels 100 grams Place of origin: (Not provided) China Best before date: July 6, 2022 October 30, 2023 Metallic contaminant: Cadmium Detected level: After considering the factors for dried foods, the samples contained cadmium at levels of:- 0.172 parts per million 0.163 parts per million Maximum level of metal: 0.1 parts per million Sampling location: A department store in Quarry Bay A grocery store in Sheung...

• 2022.05.23
• Consumer Alerts

Not to consume several kinds of imported peanut butter products with possible contamination with Salmonella

Issue Date 23.5.2022 Source of Information Centre for Food Safety (CFS) Food Product Peanut butter products Product Name and Description Product name: Creamy Peanut Butter Brand: Jif Place of origin: United States Net weight: 454 grams per jar Use-by dates: November 12, 2023; January 7, 2024; January 8, 2024; and February 11, 2024 Product name: Crunchy Peanut Butter Brand: Jif Place of origin: United States Net weight: 454 grams per jar Use-by dates: November 16, 2023; January 16, 2024; and...