CFS urges public not to consume a batch of raisins detected with excessive preservative

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (April 17) urged the public not to consume a batch of prepacked raisins containing sulphur dioxide, a preservative, at a level exceeding the legal limit. The trade should also stop using or selling the product concerned immediately.

Details of the product are as follows:

Product name: Raisins Golden Jumbo
Brand: Nature's Choice
Place of origin: South Africa/Chile/USA
Packer/distributor: The Natural Tea Company (HK) Limited
Lot No.: 2939-01
Best before date: September 30, 2015
Net weight: 250 grams

"Upon receipt of a notification from the Macau authorities that a sample of raisins imported from Hong Kong was found to contain excessive sulphur dioxide, the CFS immediately contacted the Hong Kong exporter in question, The Natural Tea Company (HK) Limited. According to the information provided by the company, there was no remaining stock of the affected batch of the product, which was imported from the United States by another company. During its follow up investigation, the CFS took a sample of the product from a different batch from a supermarket in Tuen Mun for testing. The test result showed that the sample contained sulphur dioxide at a level of 2,900 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 1 500 ppm," a CFS spokesman said.

Sulphur dioxide is a commonly used preservative in a variety of foods including dried fruits, pickled vegetables and meat products.

"Occasional consumption of the abovementioned raisins with sulphur dioxide is unlikely to pose any adverse health effect to consumers. However, for individuals who are allergic to this preservative, there may be symptoms of breathing difficulty, headache and nausea," the spokesman said.

The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the test result and instructed it to stop selling the affected batch of the product. The Centre has also contacted the importer and packer/distributor concerned to trace the distribution of the food item in question and instruct them to recall the affected batch of the product. According to the information provided by the packer/distributor, its recall is completed.

"If consumers have bought and still possess the affected batch of the product, they should stop eating it. They are advised to seek medical advice if they feel sick upon consumption. The CFS has not received any reports or complaints of persons feeling unwell after consumption of the product concerned in the past three months," the spokesman said.

The spokesman reminded the food trade that the use of preservatives in food must comply with the Preservatives in Food Regulation. 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 to maintain a balanced diet so as to avoid excessive intake of certain harmful substances as a result of frequent consumption of a small range of food items.

The CFS will alert the local trade of the incident, continue to investigate and follow up on the case. Appropriate actions will be taken to safeguard food safety and public health.

Ends/Friday, April 17, 2015