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After news broke that Thailand's popular Hong Thai herbal inhaler was banned in Malaysia for microbial contamination, one local jeweller decided to turn the saga into something a little more… shiny
Chiang Heng Jewellery, a Malaysian jewellery brand known for its playful and auspicious gold designs, has just launched a cheeky new charm: the 916 Gold Enamel 'Menthol Oil' Charm, inspired by the viral Hong Thai bottle that's now making headlines for all the wrong reasons.
"风油醒脑，黄金醒财," says the brand, which translates to "Menthol oil refreshes the mind, gold awakens wealth".
And unlike the real thing, this one won't get you fined or exposed to bacteria.
The Hong Thai Brand Herbal Inhaler, a popular Thai souvenir that's often used for dizziness or congestion, was recently found to be contaminated with unsafe levels of bacteria and mould
According to Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the affected batch (Lot No. 000332) failed safety tests after being found to contain excessive microbial counts, yeasts, mould, and even Clostridium spp., a bacteria that can cause infections in humans.
Following the discovery, Thailand's FDA declared the product substandard and began recalling over 200,000 jars from circulation.
Shortly after, Malaysia's Health Ministry (MOH) also banned the sale and distribution of the inhaler, reminding the public that the product isn't registered with the Drug Control Authority (DCA). Those caught selling it could face fines or jail time.
If you haven't heard of them, Chiang Heng Jewellery is a homegrown Malaysian jeweller known for their auspicious, modern gold designs that often blend traditional Chinese symbolism with a dash of fun and pop culture
They've built a strong following for their charm bracelets, zodiac pendants, and now — apparently — their meme-worthy collectibles.
So, while the original Hong Thai bottle might have landed itself in hot water (and bans), this new version from Chiang Heng will only attract compliments, and maybe some extra ong.
The brand even cheekily claims that "the more you wear it, the richer you get".
You can check out the limited-edition "烧青风油串饰系列" (Enamel Menthol Oil Charm Collection) on Chiang Heng Jewellery's official website, priced between RM277 and RM288.
