The public is advised to stop using seven cosmetic products detected to contain scheduled poisons and to immediately seek advice from health professionals if they experience any discomfort from using these products.

In a statement today, Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said among the products involved was Vida Beauty Sdn Bhd's Qu Gebu AP Krim, which was found to contain hydroquinone and tretinoin.

He listed the other banned products as Night Glowing (mercury) and Night Glow (hydroquinone and tretinoin) by Ezzueriche Wellness, Glowing Speed Gold Day Cream and Glowing Speed Gold Night Cream (mercury) by Babiez Glow Skincare, Nour Ain Night Cream (mercury) by Elsuhaz (M) Sdn Bhd and Royal Expert Whitening Cream (mercury) by Ortus Expert Cosmetics.

Dr Noor Hisham warned the sellers and distributors of these products to stop selling and distributing them immediately or face action for violating the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984.

He said under the regulations, individuals could be fined not exceeding RM25,000 or jailed for up to three years, or both, for the first offence and fined not exceeding RM50,000 or jailed for up to five years, or both, for each subsequent offence.

For companies committing the offence, the fine is up to RM50,000 for the first offence and up to RM100,000 for the subsequent offence.

- BERNAMA