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Another 61 samples of Lunar New Year foods, including puddings, melon seeds and crispy festive food items, tested under the Food Surveillance Programme were found to be satisfactory,a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said today (January 26).
This follows test results on similar food items released earlier in which 314 out of a total of 316 samples were found satisfactory.
For this batch, only two samples of crispy sesame seed balls failed the tests.
"One was found to contain butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and the other butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), with both exceeding the permitted level," the spokesman said.
The samples were collected from two stores and were sold as prepacked food.
The spokesman said BHA and BHT were permitted antioxidants commonly used in deep-fried foods like crispy sesame seed balls and crispy triangles to prevent rancidity due to oxidation.
"The levels of these chemicals, BHA and BHT, detected in the samples pose little health risks, the retailers concerned have been advised to stop selling the products in question," he said.
"Deep-fried festive foods such as crispy sesame seed balls and crispy triangles are popular Lunar New Year treats. Consumers should refrain from buying those that show signs of deterioration.
00"These crispy foods should be kept in air-tight containers and stored in the refrigerator or in a cool, dry place," the spokesman added.
Ends/Thursday, January 26, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:14
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