Cosmetics firm clears air over product safety

Star: KUALA LUMPUR: SK-II cosmetics are safe for use and the products will continue to be available here, according to a statement issued by the local representative.
Procter & Gamble (M) Sdn Bhd said it wanted to clear the air in light of recent negative news reports on some of its products in China.
It said the controversy was triggered by a press release on Sept 14, stating that the Guangdong Centre for Inspection and Quarantine had found chromium and neodymium in nine SK-II products imported from Japan.
The company explained that chromium and neodymium were not used in making SK-II products.
“Trace elements of these ingredients exist naturally in the environment, and in food, water and cosmetic products.
“The trace levels of chromium in question are 100 times less than what the World Health Organisation considers safe in our everyday diet.
“Similarly, the level of neodymium exposure is at least 1,000 times less than what is considered to be safe,'' the statement read.
The company said the trace levels found in SK-II products were well within limits recognised as safe within the European Union, the United States and other countries.
“All SK-II products in Malaysia comply with standards and regulations, which we believe are in accordance with government rules and regulations around the world.
“The US Food and Drug Authority regulations recognise that unavoidable levels of trace elements like chromium and neodymium can be found in cosmetic products and do not pose a health or safety risk to consumers,” the statement added.
It said SK-II sales had only been temporarily suspended in China, adding that this was not the case in Malaysia and other Asian markets.