An eyeliner containing high levels of lead is being pulled from shelves nationwide.
Australian consumers are being urged to check their cupboards after the consumer watchdog pulled the plug on Hashmi Kajal, Hashmi Tube, Hashmi Surma and Hashmi Kohl Aswad eyeliner products.
The eyeliner/kohl, made in India and distributed by Oasis Corporation, was recalled by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on Wednesday.
The consumer watchdog has pulled the plug on Hashmi Kajal, Hashmi Tube, Hashmi Surma and Hashmi Kohl Aswad eyeliners produced in Indian and distributed by Oasis Corporation
Arsenic and Mercury are among the dangerous metals found in the Indian eyeliners which contain 84 per cent lead in their makeup.
The makeup product was immediately removed from 12 stores across Western Sydney after three children in NSW experienced elevated levels of lead in their blood related to the use of the products in July.
Testing was conducted and determined the ‘Hashmi Surma Special’ contained 84 per cent lead content, with ‘Hashmi Kohl Aswad’ containing 29.5 per cent lead content.
Consumer Affairs Victoria identified the product in Victoria and have since seized more than 7,400 eyeliner products.
Testing was conducted and determined the ‘Hashmi Surma Special’ contained 84 per cent lead content, with ‘Hashmi Kohl Aswad’ containing 29.5 per cent lead content
From July 2017 until 31 July, 2018 the eyeliner products were being sold in specialist Indian and Pakistani stores in Victoria, NSW, ACT, SA and Queensland and are also available online.
Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria Simon Cohen said it was important for consumers to be aware of these potentially dangerous products.
‘Consumers should stop using these products immediately and we encourage anyone who comes across these items to contact Consumer Affairs Victoria.’
Inspectors identified and seized the potentially dangerous items for failing to meet mandatory information standards, which require all ingredients to be listed.
NSW Minister for Better Regulation, Matt Kean, told the Sydney Morning Herald: ‘Inspections have so far shown that the Hashmi brand eyeliner products are sold predominantly in stores stocking Indian and Pakistani goods,’ Mr Kean said.
From July 2017 until 31 July, 2018 the eyeliner products were in specialist Indian and Pakistani stores in Victoria, NSW, ACT, SA and Queensland and are also available online
‘Some of the product packaging even specifically states that no lead is present, which is a total disgrace.’
‘I’m absolutely appalled by this as we know that use of cosmetics containing lead can have long-term health effects, including brain and kidney damage, in both adults and children.’
Consumer Affairs Victoria product safety experts conduct inspections of retailer and suppliers as part of the state-wide compliance program.
Under the Australian Consumer Law, a supplier who fails to comply with a mandatory safety standard can face fines of up to $220,000 for individuals and $1.1 million for a body corporate.