Prepackaged milk candy sample not in compliance with nutrition label rules

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (March 14) announced that a prepackaged milk candy sample did not contain dietary fibre which was inconsistent with the declared value on its nutrition label. The CFS urged the trade to stop selling the affected batch of the product immediately.

Product details are as follows:

Product name: Peko Milk Candy
Place of origin: Japan
Distributor: Kiu Fung Hong Limited
Net weight: 115 grams per pack
Best-before date: November 2, 2016

"The CFS earlier announced that a sample of this kind of milk candy taken from a department store in Tsuen Wan under its regular Food Surveillance Programme was found not containing any dietary fibre, which was inconsistent with its declared value. The above-mentioned milk candy sample of the same kind but of a different batch was collected from the same department store for testing during follow-up investigations. The test result showed the same irregularity i.e., the sample contained no dietary fibre, which was inconsistent with the declared content of dietary fibre (1.4g per 100g) on its nutrition label," a spokesman for the CFS said.

"The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity. The vendor concerned has removed from shelves and stopped sale of the affected batch of the product according to the instructions of the CFS. Prosecution will be instituted should there be sufficient evidence. The CFS has also followed up with the distributor concerned to trace the distribution of the affected product," he added.

According to Section 61 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), if any person falsely describes a food or misleads as to the nature, substance or quality of the food on a label of the food sold by him, he shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction.

The CFS will inform the trade, continue to follow up on the cases and take appropriate action.

Ends/Monday, March 14, 2016