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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (January 20) announced the test results of a targeted food surveillance project conducted recently to assess the use of preservatives in preserved fruits and vegetables. Among the 450 samples collected, one sample was found unsatisfactory. The overall satisfactory rate was 99.8 per cent.
"The CFS collected samples of preserved vegetables (such as cucumber, radish, leaf mustard, rakkyo, ginger and chillies) and preserved fruits (such as dried mango, dried pineapple, raisin, apricot, plum, dried apple ring, sour peach and olive) at different retail outlets (such as supermarkets, groceries, snack shops, market stalls and restaurants) from October to November last year to test for preservatives including sulphur dioxide, benzoic acid, sorbic acid and parabens," a spokesman for the CFS said.
The unsatisfactory sample was a raisin found to contain sulphur dioxide at a level of 3,110 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 1,500ppm. The result was announced in the Food Safety Report for November 2011.
"Sulphur dioxide is of low toxicity and is commonly used in food processing. Upon normal consumption, it is unlikely that the unsatisfactory sample with sulphur dioxide at the detected level would pose adverse health effects to consumers. Nevertheless, susceptible individuals who are allergic to it may experience shortness of breath, headache and nausea," he said.
The spokesman said that the use of preservatives in food must comply with the Preservatives in Food Regulation. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction.
"The CFS has taken follow-up actions against the unsatisfactory sample, including source tracing, requesting the vendors concerned to stop selling and to dispose of the food item, taking samples when sale resumes and issuing warning letters to the vendors. If there is sufficient evidence, prosecution will be taken," he added.
The spokesman reminded the food trade to follow Good Manufacturing Practice and comply with legal requirements when using preservatives. Food traders should source food and food ingredients from reliable suppliers as well as maintain a good recording system to allow source tracing if needed.
He added that the Food Safety Ordinance is now in effect. Upon the expiry of the grace period by the end of this month (January 31), any person who does not register but carries on a food importation or distribution business, or fails to comply with the record-keeping requirement commits an offence. Food traders should observe the requirements and comply with the Ordinance.
He also advised members of the public to buy food from reliable retailers and to have a balanced diet so as to avoid excessive intake of certain harmful substances, such as by frequently eating a small range of food items.
Ends/Friday, January 20, 2012
Issued at HKT 14:31
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