SEOUL, 2009 (AFP) - A South Korean safety watchdog said Tuesday it has banned a local cosmetics company from selling five products which used raw materials contaminated with cancer-causing asbestos.

The products from L'Ocean cosmetics company including face powder and make-up base were being taken off the shelves, the Korea Food and Drug Administration said.

The products were made using talcum powder imported from China, which was found to have been contaminated with asbestos, it said in a statement.

The agency last Thursday announced that it had found asbestos in baby powder made by eight manufacturers. It banned their sale and ordered a recall.

Asbestos can cause lung cancer when inhaled.