Dried Chinese white cabbage sample detected to have trace amount of non-permitted colouring matter

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (June 12) that a loose-packed dried Chinese white cabbage sample was found to contain trace amount of sudan dyes, a colouring matter not permitted in food. Follow-up is in progress.

"The CFS collected the dried Chinese white cabbage sample from a shop in Tsuen Wan for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained sudan dyes at a level of 30 parts per billion," a CFS spokesman said.

The spokesman said that during the investigation, the CFS found that the affected sample came from a local farm. According to the information provided by the person in charge of the farm, the affected batch of the dried Chinese white cabbage was tied up in bundles with red nylon rope for sale to the above-mentioned vendor. Hence, the CFS suspected that the concerned trace amount colouring matter might be originated from the red nylon rope.

The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop selling and remove from shelves the affected product. The CFS is tracing the distribution of the affected product.

Sudan dyes are synthetic chemical dyes for industrial use. Under the Colouring Matter in Food Regulations (Cap 132H), sudan dyes are not permitted in food. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.

The CFS will continue to follow up on the case and take appropriate actions to safeguard food safety and public health.

Ends/Monday, June 12, 2017