The Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau in Henan province has intercepted unauthorized human placenta extract delivered from Japan. (Photo/youth.cn)
(ECNS) - Authorities in central China's Henan province have intercepted unauthorized human placenta extract delivered from Japan.
The arrival of 1,900 units of the extract, split between four postal parcels, had not received official permission from health inspectors.
The parcels were declared as "health care products" and "food," according to an official from the Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau in Henan.
The extracts were intercepted between May 18 and 26, and will be returned to Japan.
Placenta extract from different types of animals, including humans, is popular for use in plastic surgery. Some extracts from overseas are claimed to be more effective by plastic surgery companies seeking economic benefits. Consumers sometimes even purchase the products online and inject it themselves.
However, unauthorized extracts can carry multiple pathogens, including HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, according to an official.
