Canned soft drink sample detected with preservative exceeding legal limit
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Details of the product are as follows:
Product name: 7UP Cherry
Place of origin: The United States
Net volume: 12 fluid ounces/355 millilitres per can
Best-before date: March 12, 2017
A spokesman for the CFS said, "The Centre, through its routine Food Incident Surveillance System, noted an announcement by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine that the above soft drink was found to contain benzoic acid not complying with its legal requirements. The CFS immediately followed up with major local retailers and after investigation found that the product concerned is available for sale at a retail outlet in Mong Kok. The CFS collected a sample for testing and the test result showed that the sample contained benzoic acid at a level of 220 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 160 ppm."
The spokesman said the CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity. The vendor has already stopped the sale of and removed from shelves the affected product according to CFS' instructions. The CFS is also tracing the source of the affected product.
Benzoic acid is a commonly used preservative in soft drinks, which is of low toxicity. Based on the level of benzoic acid detected in the sample, adverse health effects will not be caused under usual 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 alert the trade, continue to follow up on the case and take appropriate action.
Ends/Friday, January 13, 2017
Issued at HKT 20:15
Issued at HKT 20:15
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