The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (June 14) advised the public not to consume a peanut product called "Zheng Jin Rong Red Mud Peanut" which was found by the department to have contained excessive aflatoxins.
The product was produced by a food trading company in Guangzhou and packed on November 25, 2003 with a "Best Before Date" of September 24, 2004.
A sample of the product was taken during a special food surveillance exercise conducted last month targeted food imported from the Mainland, in which some 130 food samples were collected from various outlets for testing of preservatives, additives and contaminants that might be present.
Laboratory analysis revealed that the level of aflatoxins in one sample of peanut had reached a level of 1,400 micrograms per kilogram of the food, far exceeding the legal limit of 20 micrograms per kilogram of the food.
"Chronic exposure to aflatoxins may be harmful to the liver and cause cancer. Although the usual intake of the concerned peanut is unlikely to develop any acute harmful effect, the department strongly advised the public not to consume the incriminated batch of products and to dispose of any such peanuts under their possession," said a spokesman for the department.
"Retailers should stop selling the peanuts in question," the spokesman said.
The department has also informed the Mainland authorities about its findings and stepped up surveillance on similar products in the market.
A hotline 2867 5440 has been set up to answer enquiry from members of the public. It will operate until 9 pm today and during office hours from tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the department advises food vendors to ensure that all foods for sale comply with the relevant laws and are fit for human consumption. They should also obtain their food from reliable suppliers.
On the other hand, consumers are advised to buy food from reliable and reputable retailers and reject any unclean, opened or damaged package. They should consume food within the designated "Best Before Date" and discard any food that look mouldy, damped, shriveled or discoloured.
The department is still analyzing the results of the testings on other food samples collected during the recent food surveillance exercise and will make known the findings once they are available.
"We will continue to monitor closely the quality of food on sale in the local market to ensure that all food sold to the public is fit for consumption," said the spokesman.
Reprinted from : HKSAR Government web page :