Prepackaged frozen prawn sample in breach of food labelling regulations

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (June 15) that a prepackaged frozen prawn sample containing a permitted preservative, sulphur dioxide, was found in breach of food labelling regulations for not declaring the ingredient on its food label. The CFS urged the trade to stop selling the affected batch of the product immediately.

Details of the product are as follows:

Product name: Australian Endeavour Prawn
Place of origin: Australia
Agent: Ever Asia Trading Ltd
Weight: 500 grams per pack
Best-before date: August 31, 2018

"The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample for testing at a supermarket in Central under its regular Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained sulphur dioxide. Although the level of sulphur dioxide is within the legal standard for frozen prawns, it was not declared on the product's food label," a CFS spokesman said.

The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and the vendor concerned has removed from shelves and stopped sale of the affected batch of the product according to the instructions of the CFS. The CFS is also tracing the distribution of the affected product.

The spokesman urged the trade to observe the relevant laws and regulations. The Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap. 132W) require that all prepackaged food for sale in Hong Kong should list out the food ingredients on its list of ingredients. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.

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

Ends/Thursday, June 15, 2017