A regulation restricting milk powder purchases by mainland consumers in Hong Kong will take effect on March 1.

People leaving Hong Kong can only carry two cans of milk powder and violators will face a fine of 500,000 yuan ($80,000) and two years' imprisonment, said the regulation issued by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

The rule comes as people from the mainland have been rushing to buy milk powder in Hong Kong in the wake of frequent tainted milk powder scandals in the Chinese mainland.