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Preservative exceeds legal limit in beef skewer sample

  • 2026.05.22

Results of Sample with Irregularity

Preservative exceeds legal limit in beef skewer sample

Food name:Beef skewer
Preservative:Benzoic acid
Detected level:116 milligram per kilogram
Maximum permitted level:
  1. Fresh meat: Not permitted
  2. Seasonings and condiments: 1000 milligram per kilogram
  3. Soybean sauce: 550 milligram per kilogram
Sampling location:A restaurant in Mong Kok
Remarks:

  1. The Centre for Food Safety has instructed the vendor to stop selling the affected product.

  2. According to the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap 132BD), any person who sells food with preservative above the legal limit may be prosecuted and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction.

  3. Based on the level of Benzoic acid detected in the sample, risk assessment showed that adverse health effects are unlikely under usual consumption.

  4. The Centre for Food Safety will continue to follow up on the unsatisfactory result, including tracing the source of the affected product and taking sample for testing.

  5. Investigation is ongoing.

Reposted from HKSAR Government webpage:

https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/unsat_samples/20260522_12407.html