Excessive preservative found in pickled mustard sample
| Issue Date | 20.8.2015 |
|---|---|
| Source of Information | Centre for Food Safety (CFS) |
| Food Product | Prepacked pickled mustard |
| Product Name and Description | Product name: Pickled Mustard |
| Reason For Issuing Alert | The CFS collected a sample of prepacked pickled mustard from Thailand at a market stall in Ma On Shan for testing under its regular Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that it contained a preservative, sulphur dioxide, at a level of 180 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 100 ppm. Sulphur dioxide is a commonly used preservative in a variety of foods including dried vegetables, dried fruits, pickled vegetables and meat products. This preservative is of low toxicity. As it is water soluble, most of it can be removed through washing and cooking. However, for individuals who are allergic to this preservative, there may be symptoms of shortness of breath, headache and nausea. |
| Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety | The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and the vendor has voluntarily stopped selling and removed from shelves the affected batch of product. Should there be sufficient evidence, prosecution will be considered. The CFS is tracing the source and distribution of the affected product. |
| Advice to the Trade | The CFS has also informed the local trade to stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately. |
| Advice to Consumers | The public are advised to seek medical treatment if they feel unwell after taking the food. |
| Further Information |
Centre for Food Safety
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
2015-8-20