HK agency: Samsonite luggage has carcinogen

Samsonite International SA pulled its "Tokyo Chic" line of luggage from Hong Kong stores Monday after a local consumer group reported high levels of compounds linked to cancer in the handles, although the company insisted the bags were safe.

The Hong Kong Consumer Council said last week it found that the side handles on three Samsonite suitcases had higher levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons than recommended in voluntary guidelines.

The compounds are commonly found in plastics, rubber and lubricating oil and it's possible that traces were left during manufacturing, the council said. They've been known to cause cancer and birth defects in animals.

Samsonite said it commissioned independent tests from German and Hong Kong laboratories that showed levels were "significantly lower" than the council's findings.

The consumer council said its tests showed levels particularly high in a suitcase sold under the Tokyo Chic line. Samsonite said that it has withdrawn all luggage from that line from Hong Kong shelves to allay the fears of local customers and would replace the handles.

The company is not pulling Tokyo Chic luggage from other markets. It said there are no legal guidelines for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Samsonite said it doesn't expect the scare to affect its financial results. The company's stock, which is traded in Hong Kong, rebounded to close 7.6 percent higher after falling 16 percent on Friday.