The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has detected Sudan IV in a sample of chilli oil taken from a supermarket in Ho Man Tin.
The chilli oil, under the brand name Koon Yick Wah Kee, was contained in a 50 mL bottle with a "best before" date of December 30, 2006.
A spokesman for the FEHD today (March 22) said a total of 14 samples of Koon Yick Wah Kee chilli products were collected from Koon Yick Wah Kee Foods Factory (Hong Kong) and from retail outlets following information received earlier from the Mainland authorities about the detection of Sudan I in samples of chilli oil under a similar brand name.
"However, there is no evidence so far to suggest that the positive sample in Hong Kong is related to the products in the Mainland," he said.
Concerning the chilli oil tested in Hong Kong to contain Sudan IV, the department has requested the manufacturer and the retail store to recall and stop sale of the products believed to be of the same batch.
The spokesman stressed that there were no immediate health risks and that there should be no cause for undue alarm.
He said the department had stepped up surveillance on Sudan dyes since mid February and had collected more than 60 samples on various products including sauces and chilli powder for testing of colouring matters.
Other than a chilli powder sample earlier found to contain Sudan I and IV, two other chilli powder products, collected respectively from an Indian restaurant in Sha Tin and Yuen Long, were tested to contain Sudan I.
The products were used as a curry recipe at these restaurants. "All the remaining stock has been surrendered for disposal," the spokesman said.
"We will continue to step up inspections to check if similar products are available in the market," a spokesman for the FEHD said.
He also advises traders to ensure that all food for sale should comply with the food laws in Hong Kong and be fit for human consumption.
Reprinted from HKSAR Government web page:
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200503/22/03220271.htm