Press Release

Recall of proprietary Chinese medicine found to contain excessive arsenic

18 Apr 2011

The Department of Health (DH) today (April 18) urged members of the public not to buy or use a proprietary Chinese medicine named [Lee Sze] Texiao Houtong Wan (Registration no.: HKP-06082) as its arsenic level was found to exceed the permitted limit.

The product was manufactured in the Mainland and distributed by a local licensed wholesaler of Chinese medicines, Lee Sze Trading Co..

The appeal is made in view of detection of an excessive amount of arsenic in the product by DH's market surveillance.

A DH spokesman explained that prolonged exposure to an excessive amount of arsenic could adversely affect the functions of the liver, kidney and heart.

The DH inspected the wholesaler immediately and instructed the company to recall all batches of the product from the market as a precaution. Investigation continues.

Members of the public can call the wholesaler's hotline at 2542 3381 for enquiries. DH will be monitoring the recall.

The spokesman urged those members of the public who have purchased the product to stop using it immediately and surrender the product to DH at 16/F, Two Landmark East, Kwun Tong, Kowloon.

For those who have used the product and feel unwell, they should seek advice from their healthcare providers as soon as possible. So far, DH has not received any report of persons feeling unwell after taking the product.