Bacteria-laden, Chinese-made face mask removed from sale, retailer arrested

A Chinese-made, face mask tainted with bacteria exceeding safety limits by 22 times has been withdrawn from sale in Hong Kong.

The face mask, branded Powecom, made by Guangzhou Powecom Labor Insurance Supplies, is packed in bags of 10 each and was sold for HK$90.

Customs asked Hong Kong residents to stop using the surgical mask as test results revealed that the bacterial count of the mask exceeded the maximum allowable limit, in breach of the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance.

Traders have been ordered to remove the product from shelves as well.

Customs said the face mask was bought from a houseware retail shop in North Point and tested for safety.

The total bacterial count of the sample of one type of surgical mask exceeded the maximum permitted limit by about 22.6 times, in breach of the ordinance.

Customs seized 74 pieces of surgical masks of the same type, including seven bags of 10 pieces each as well as four pieces sold separately, from three shops of the houseware retailer belonging to the same parent group in North Point, Tseung Kwan O and Tsuen Wan.

The masks were imported from the mainland by the trader. 

A 62-year-old male sole proprietor of the houseware retailer was arrested and released on bail pending further investigation, Customs said.