Seoul (People’s Daily) – South Korea's largest cosmetics conglomerate Amorepacific Group is facing a crisis as its products were found to contain a heavy metal substance above the admissible level.

According to South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, 13 cosmetic items made from a local original design manufacturer (ODM) were found with antimony above the permissible level.

Among them, six products – including skin concealers and eyebrow pencils—were from Amorepacific's brands Aritaum and Etude House.

The ministry has ordered the company to suspend sales of the products and recall those already in the market.

Amorepacific on Tuesday apologized for the products and said it is recalling those products.

"As a manufacturer and distributor, we should have paid full attention to ensure quality control of all products sold," the company said in a statement. "We are very sorry for causing an inconvenience. We will make every effort possible to minimize any further inconvenience in the process of retrieving the products,” Yonhap news reported.

Top image: South Korean cosmetics firm Amorepacific Group's concealers found with a heavy metal substance above the admissible level. (Photo: Yonhap News)