Prepackaged rice dumpling sample not in compliance with nutrition label rules

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (May 25) announced that the sodium content in a prepackaged rice dumpling sample was found to be inconsistent with the declared value on its nutrition label. Follow-up is in progress.

Product details are as follows:

Product name: Rice Dumpling with Salted Meat
Packer: Kai Bo Food Supermarket
Packing: Two pieces per pack
Use-by date: July 14, 2016

"The CFS collected the above-mentioned rice dumpling sample from a supermarket in Tsz Wan Shan under its regular Food Surveillance Programme. The result of chemical analysis showed that it contained sodium at a level of 470 milligrams per 100 grams, which was inconsistent with its declared value (122mg per 100g)," a spokesman for the CFS said.

"The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and the vendor has stopped selling and removed from shelves the affected batch of the product according to the instructions of the CFS. Should there be sufficient evidence, prosecution will be instituted. The CFS has also followed up with the packer concerned to trace the distribution of the affected product," the spokesman said.

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 case and take appropriate action.

Ends/Wednesday, May 25, 2016