Several prepackaged food samples were found to contain sulphur dioxide which was not declared on the food labels

2021.11.16

Issue Date	16.11.2021
Source of Information	Routine Food Surveillance Programme
Food Product	Prepackaged food
Product Name and Description	Product details are as follows: Product name: Chinese Date Brand: Green dot dot Place of origin: China Net weight: 350 grams Distributor: Organic Gardens International Limited (recall hotline: 3181 4488) Best-before date: July 23, 2022 Product name: Tianjin Preserved Vegetable Brand: (not available in English) Place of origin: China Net weight: 300 grams Distributor: Golden Long Food Trading Limited (recall hotline: 2566 3007) Best-before date: December 31, 2022 Product name: (not available in English) Brand: Kai's Gourmet Place of origin: China Net weight: 38 grams Importer: Kairun Food HK Ltd. (recall hotline: 3483 0098) Best-before date: July 30, 2022
Reason For Issuing Alert	The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) collected the above-mentioned dates, preserved cabbage and bamboo fungi samples from a department store in Hung Hom, a supermarket in Mong Kok and an online shop for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test results showed that the samples contained sulphur dioxide. Sulphur dioxide is a preservative which can be used in a variety of foods including dried vegetables, dried fruits, pickled vegetables and salted fish products. Sulphur dioxide is water soluble, and most of it can be removed through washing and cooking. However, susceptible individuals who are allergic to this preservative may experience breathing difficulties, headache and nausea after consumption. Although the sulphur dioxide levels are below the maximum permitted level under the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap. 132BD), the functional class and name of the additive were not declared on the food labels of the samples. The food trade that the use of preservatives in food must comply with the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap. 132BD). Furthermore, the Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap. 132W) require that for all prepackaged food for sale in Hong Kong containing sulphite in a concentration of 10 ppm or more, the functional class of the sulphite and its name shall be specified in the list of ingredients. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety	The CFS has informed the vendors concerned of the irregularities, and instructed them to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected batches of products. The above-mentioned distributors/ importer have initiated a recall according to the CFS' instructions.
Advice to the Trade	Stop using or selling the product concerned immediately if they possess it.
Advice to Consumers	People who are allergic to sulphur dioxide should not to consume the affected product if they have bought any.
Further Information	The CFS press release Members of the public may call the respective hotlines above during office hours for enquiries about the recall.