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SCMP Reporter

Hong Kong 'lagging behind' in regulation of health products

Health experts and lawmakers have criticised the government for its reaction to the problem of tainted mainland toothpaste, and urged strict rules on all health products.

Dental association president Vincent Leung Fun-shing said there were obvious loopholes in monitoring dental products and advised the government to  seriously consider regulating health products to ensure consumers' safety.

At present, only toothpaste brands that claim to kill germs or to be suitable for sensitive teeth must register with the Health Department. Other  brands  are rated consumer products, which are monitored by the Customs and Excise Department.

'Some of them are treated as cosmetics, like toothpastes and rinses, and often overlooked by the government,' Dr Leung said. 'The government  needs to monitor and regulate dental and health products. Too many   have side effects.'

Singapore banned three brands of mainland-made toothpaste last week saying they contain a poisonous chemical, diethylene glycol.

The US Food and Drug Administration stopped imports of mainland toothpaste  after finding some brands  contained the chemical.

Mainland manufacturers said they had been using diethylene glycol in toothpaste for years without  any problems.

Dr Leung  said the chemical should be banned in food or dental products   because 'first it's poisonous, and second there are substitutes'.

William Chui Chun-ming,  education director at the Society of Hospital Pharmacists, suggested all ingredients should be listed  on all products  to inform  consumers  about  what they are using.

He said diethylene glycol was hazardous to use in food.  'Kids may swallow the toothpaste,' he said. 'This toxic chemical should be banned in all health products.'

Since the  chemical is normally used for industrial purposes such as in making antifreeze,  Mr Chui said it  should not be used on any topical preparations like cream and lotions, because the toxin can penetrate through skin into our bodies.

'Diethylene glycol can be substituted by other chemicals, part of it can be glycerin, and therefore it should definitely not be used in any dental or health products,' he said.

Medical lawmaker Kwok Ka-ki said there were possible risks,  particularly to children and  the elderly, and urged the government to implement quality assurance on health products. 'The government is certainly too passive in reacting on this matter. Not only toothpaste, but other health products should also be monitored,' he said.

Dr Kwok criticised the government for  being too lenient.

'When the product manufacturers  say that their  products are okay, the government just lets them through into the market,' he said. 'There should be a system to regulate these products; perhaps the Department of Health should take part in it.'

Another lawmaker, Fred Lee Wah-ming,   advised the government to follow the lead of other countries.

'Hong Kong is quite out of date on this matter. Many overseas countries have strict regulations on labelling of ingredients on health and cosmetic products.  The government has been too passive,' he said.



Stricter controls urged after toxic toothpaste scare