Vendor given suspended jail sentence for selling beef with sulphur dioxide added

A 52-year-old woman was sentenced to two months' imprisonment, suspended for three years, at Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (November 12) for selling fresh beef adulterated with sulphur dioxide.

As a follow-up to a food complaint, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department took a fresh beef sample from a fresh provision shop called "Tai Wah Fresh Meats (Beef)" located on the ground floor at No 121A of Hip Wo Street in Kwun Tong in June this year for testing. Prosecution was taken out after the sample was found to contain sulphur dioxide at a level of 3 600 parts per million (ppm).

The vendor concerned has a record of five convictions for the same offence and a total fine of $20,000 was levied by the court.

"According to the Preservatives in Food Regulation (subsidiary legislation of Cap 132), it is an offence to add sulphur dioxide to fresh or chilled meat. The maximum penalty is a $50,000 fine and six months' imprisonment," a CFS spokesman said.

Sulphur dioxide is a commonly used preservative in a variety of foods including dried fruits, pickled vegetables and meat products such as sausages and grilled burgers, but under the Preservatives in Food Regulation, it is not permitted in fresh or chilled meat. Nonetheless, individual meat traders have been found illegally using sulphur dioxide to make the meat look fresher. This preservative is of low toxicity. As it is water-soluble, most of it can be removed through washing and cooking. However, susceptible individuals who are allergic to this preservative may experience breathing difficulty, headache and nausea.

The spokesman reminded the food trade to comply with the law and not to sell fresh or chilled meat adulterated with sulphur dioxide. Members of the public should purchase meat from reliable market stalls or fresh provision shops. They should avoid buying or consuming meat which is unnaturally red and maintain a balanced diet to avoid malnutrition or excessive exposure to chemicals from a small range of food items.

"The CFS will continue to conduct targeted food surveillance on sulphur dioxide in meat to safeguard food safety and public health," he said.

Ends/Wednesday, November 12, 2014