United Lab updates progress of Department of Health probe

    The United Laboratories (03933) said Hong Kong Department of Health collected 13 product samples of Vitamin C Effervescent Tablets during its site investigation for laboratory analysis. The results of the laboratory analysis by Hong Kong Department of Health revealed that all product samples complied with pharmacopoeial standards and the manufacturer's specifications. 
  Hong Kong Department of Health said that in a batch of Vitamin C Effervescent Tablets (Blackcurrant flavour), one sample was found to contain a trace amount of arsenic, 0.83 milligrams per kilogram. Hong Kong Department of Health stated that, based on the recommended dosage of the product, the estimated intake of arsenic from the affected batch should pose a very low health risk. Arsenic was not detected in samples from other batches of the products. 
  According to the records of Hong Kong production plant, there are about 9,730 bottles of Vitamin C Effervescent Tablets (Blackcurrant flavour) in that batch which all have been exported to a market outside Hong Kong. Total sales revenue of the products amounted to about HK$180,000. The United Lab group has taken measures to voluntarily recall the product from overseas market. Meanwhile, Hong Kong production plant has also delivered all the Vitamin C Effervescent Tablets products to an independent third party accredited laboratory to conduct a review to ensure the safety of all products.