By Bloomberg News

Samsonite International SA, the world’s largest branded-luggage maker, described three brands as “completely safe,” after the Hong Kong Consumer Council said handles on those models contained carcinogens.

The handles of some Samsonite luggage models contain materials which could cause cancer, Choice Magazine, a monthly magazine published by Hong Kong Consumer Council, said in its June edition. The immediate danger is minimal, the magazine said.

Samsonite shares fell 16 percent to HK$12.08 in Hong Kong trading today after the council’s report. The Mansfield-based luggage company said it had sent samples to an independent laboratory for testing and that the Tokyo Chic, Cubelite, and Westlake lines mentioned by the publication were safe to use.

“Based on the independent test results as well as on specialist expert opinion, we are absolutely confident that consumers can continue to use our luggage without any safety or health concerns at all,” Ramesh Tainwala, Samsonite’s Asia- Pacific & Middle East president, said in the statement.