The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (February 27) urged the public not to consume a kind of imported prepackaged pork jerky product, as the product might contain sudan dyes, a colouring matter which is not permitted in food. The CFS is following up on the case.

     Product details are as follows:

Product name: SPICY PORK JERKY SLICED
Brand: (Not available in English)
Place of origin: Taiwan
Net weight: 150 grams
Best-before date: August 10, 2024 - February 6, 2025
Importer and Agent: SANWORLD (H.K.) DEVELOPMENT LIMITED

     A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS, through its Food Incident Surveillance System, noted a notification from the Taiwan authority that the above-mentioned product might have used an ingredient which contained sudan dyes. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately contacted the retailer for follow-up. A preliminary investigation found that the above-mentioned vendor had sold the affected batch of the product concerned.

     For the sake of prudence, the above-mentioned vendor has stopped sales and removed from shelves the affected product, and has initiated a recall according to the CFS's instructions. Members of the public may call its hotline at 2323 3028 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.

     The spokesman said, "Sudan dyes are synthetic chemical dyes for industrial use. Under the Colouring Matter in Food Regulations (Cap. 132H), sudan dyes are not permitted in food. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment."

     The CFS has alerted the trade and will continue to follow up on the case and take appropriate action. The CFS has also enhanced relevant surveillance and will closely monitor the latest developments in the Taiwan authority's recalls of incriminated food. An investigation is ongoing.

Ends/Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Issued at HKT 20:16

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