CFS urges public not to consume a batch of bottled watercress honey

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (June 12) urged the public not to consume a batch of bottled watercress honey manufactured in Macau as the product failed the testing of benzoic acid, a preservative, in Macau and the level also exceeded the local legal limit. The trade should also stop using or selling the product concerned immediately if they possess it.

Details of the product are as follows:

Product: watercress honey
Place of origin: Macau
Manufacturer: Not available in English
Importer: Chun Tat Food Co.
Net volume: 500 millilitres per bottle
Best-before date: September 18, 2018

A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS, through its routine Food Incident Surveillance System, noted an announcement of the Food Safety Centre, Macau, that the above-mentioned bottled watercress honey was detected to contain benzoic acid at a level exceeding the legal limit in Macau. The CFS contacted the Macau authorities for follow up. According to information provided by the Macau authorities, a local importer had imported the affected product. The CFS immediately followed up with the importer concerned which confirmed that it had imported a total of 144 bottles of the affected product for sale in its retail shop. All the affected product has been sold out."

The spokesman said that the Centre has instructed the importer concerned to initiate a recall. Members of the public may call the importer's hotline at 2818 9779 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.

The spokesman urged consumers not to consume the affected product. The trade should also stop using or selling the product concerned immediately if they possess it.

The spokesman reminded the food trade that the use of preservatives in food must comply with the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap 132BD). Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction.

The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the case and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.

Ends/Monday, June 12, 2017