Undeclared sweetener found in prepackaged meatballs

A spokesman for the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (December 19) said that a permitted sweetener, Acesulfame Potassium, was found in a kind of prepackaged meat and mushroom balls, but has not been declared on the product's food label. As food label is an important channel to provide food information for consumers and assist them in making informed food choices, a CFS spokesman called on the trade to comply with relevant regulations and stop selling the product concerned immediately.

Details of the product are as follows:

Product name: Select meat & mushroom balls (new formulation)
Place of origin: Taiwan
Net weight: 300 grams
Best Before: August 20, 2015

"The CFS collected the sample for testing at a supermarket under its regular Food Surveillance Programme. Test result showed that the sample contained Acesulfame Potassium, but it was not declared on the product's food label," a CFS spokesman said.

According to the Sweeteners in Food Regulations (Cap. 132U), Acesulfame Potassium is a permitted sweetener in food. Nevertheless, the Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap.132W) require that all prepackaged food for sale in Hong Kong should list out the food ingredients on its list of ingredients. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.

"The CFS has taken follow-up actions on the unsatisfactory sample, including informing the vendor concerned of the test result, instructing the vendor to stop the sale of the food concerned as well as tracing the source and distribution of the food item in question. The CFS will also alert the trade of the incident and urged them to stop selling the affected product immediately," the spokesman said.

The CFS will continue to follow up the case and take appropriate actions.

Ends/Friday, December 19, 2014