The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (October 25) that a sample of satay paste served in a restaurant was found to contain preservatives, benzoic acid and sorbic acid at levels exceeding the legal limits. Follow-up is in progress.

     Details of the product are as follows:

Product name: Satay paste
Brand: Han River Bridge
Place of origin: China
Net content: 20 kilograms
Best-before date: April 15, 2018

     A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS collected a sample of the above-mentioned satay paste at a restaurant in Yuen Long for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that it contained benzoic acid and sorbic acid at levels of 1 440 parts per million (ppm) and 1 450 ppm respectively, exceeding the legal limits of 1 000 ppm of the respective preservatives.

     "The CFS has informed the restaurant concerned of the irregularities. According to the information provided by the restaurant, the affected batch of satay paste has been exhausted. It has stopped serving satay paste of the same kind to customers according to the CFS' advice. The CFS is also tracing the source of the affected product."

     Both benzoic acid and sorbic acid are commonly used preservatives in preparation of condiments and are of low toxicity. Based on the levels detected in the unsatisfactory sample, adverse health effects will not be caused under normal consumption.

     The spokesman reminded the food trade that the use of preservatives in food must comply with the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap 132BD). Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction. Members of the public should buy food from reliable suppliers, and maintain a balanced diet so as to avoid excessive intake of certain chemicals as a result of frequent consumption of a small range of food items.

     The CFS will advise the local trade to stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately.

     The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.

Ends/Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Issued at HKT 19:13

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