Customs officers have seized 34 bottles of an orange-scented Mambino Organics baby shampoo and body wash from eight shops and arrested a 42-year-old director of a trading company. The woman is suspected of supplying goods bearing false trade descriptions under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance.
The product was labelled as containing no allergenic fragrance, but Consumer Council testing found 0.0774% limonene.
The enforcement action followed a Consumer Council referral. Customs officers bought a sample from a Causeway Bay shop and sent it to the Government Laboratory, which found 0.11% limonene. Customs then inspected retailers before arresting the director.
Limonene gives products a citrus scent and can form sensitising oxidation products when exposed to air. The Consumer Council said descriptions such as “low-allergen formulation” or “mild” indicate a tendency to use less irritating ingredients, but do not mean a product is completely free of allergenic substances.
The arrested woman was released on bail pending investigation. Customs said supplying goods with a false trade description, or possessing them for sale, carries a maximum penalty of HK$500,000 and five years’ imprisonment upon conviction.
The Consumer Council advised anyone who develops a rash, itching or other skin discomfort after using the product to stop using it immediately. Medical attention should be sought promptly if the condition persists or worsens.