| 1. |
What are Sudan dyes? |
| A. |
Sudan dyes are synthetic chemical dyes which can be
used for colouring hydrocarbon solvents, oils, fats, waxes and plastics.
In Hong Kong, Sudan dyes are non-permitted colouring matters under
the Colouring Matter in Food Regulations, Cap.132H. |
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| 2. |
How would Sudan dyes affect health? |
| A. |
Sudan dyes have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory
animals, however, there is inadequate evidence that it causes cancer
in humans. |
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| 3. |
What measures are in place to tackle the incident? |
| A. |
The CFS is highly concerned of the incident. Close
liaison has been maintained with Mainland authorities and the trade
to keep updated of the latest situation. In this regard, the CFS has
immediately stepped up surveillance in the local markets. In addition,
upon the request of the CFS, the General Administration of Quality
Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) agreed on the temporarily
suspension of export of hen eggs from Hunan Province to Hong Kong. |
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| 4. |
Can I identify the eggs tainted with Sudan dyes
by their appearances? |
| A. |
No, it is difficult to identify whether the eggs are
tainted with Sudan dyes by their appearances. However, members of
public should avoid buying those eggs of unknown origin or if they
are unreasonably cheap. |
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| 5. |
Will cooking (e.g. boiling, frying) destroy Sudan
dye? |
| A. |
Sudan dyes are rather heat-stable and do not decompose
at normal cooking temperatures. |
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| 6. |
If I have eaten the affected eggs, has my health
been damaged? |
| A. |
Considering the available information on the levels
of Sudan dyes detected in affected eggs, risk assessment suggested
that there is no immediate health risk, and the long term risk to
health, such as causing cancer, is likely to be very small upon usual
consumption of eggs. However, this risk would be greater for people
who frequently eat extremely large amounts of eggs. Therefore, it
is important to eat a balanced diet to reduce the risk of ingesting
excessive contaminants from a small range of food items. |
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| 7. |
Are eggs in HK safe to eat? |
| A. |
As the levels of Sudan dyes found in the affected eggs
is considered very low, risk assessment suggested that usual consumption
of eggs is unlikely to pose significant health risk. Besides various
Mainland provinces, Hong Kong imports eggs from a variety of countries
such as the USA, Europe, Japan, etc. Based on the investigation so
far, there is only a limited fraction of eggs available in the local
market that may be tainted with Sudan dyes. Egg is a very economical
and nutritious food item, it would be unnecessary to leave it out
totally from our diet. |
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| 8. |
Apart from duck eggs and hen eggs, have other eggs
been affected? |
| A. |
Results available so far showed that only duck eggs
from Fujian and Hubei, which labelled as ¡§red yolk¡¨, and hen eggs
reported to come from Hunan are tested positive for Sudan dyes. |
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| 9. |
If the risk is very small, why removed the affected
eggs? |
| A. |
Based on the present information, usual consumption
of eggs is unlikely to post significant health risk. However, Sudan
dyes are non-permitted colouring matters under the Colouring Matter
in Food Regulations, Cap.132H. Therefore, affected eggs cannot be
sold in Hong Kong. |
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| 10. |
With regard to the recent laboratory testing, what
should I do when buying / consuming eggs? |
| A. |
Members of the public are advised to buy eggs from reputable
shops. They should pay special attention to the origin of the eggs
and avoid buying and eating those products labelled as ¡§red yolk¡¨
eggs. |
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| 11. |
What should I do with the duck eggs at home which
were produced by Hubei Shendan Healthy Food Co. Ltd ? |
| A. |
Although the levels of Sudan dyes found in the affected
duck eggs is considered very low and the health risk is low, it would
be sensible to avoid any exposure to this harmful chemical. You should
stop eating these duck eggs, and return any remaining ones to the
shop from where you had purchased them; in this case, it should be
¡§Yue Hwa Chinese Products Emporium Ltd¡¨. |
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| 12. |
How can I report to the CFS if I notice sale of ¡§red
yolk¡¨ eggs in local markets? |
| A. |
If members of the public notice any sale of ¡§red yolk¡¨
eggs, they should immediately report it to the CFS via 24 hour hotline
(2868 0000) for our follow-up action. |
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| 13. |
As a food trader, how should I source the eggs for
selling? |
| A. |
Traders are urged to be cautions about the origins
from which you source your eggs, and should do so from credible sources
only. Traders are urged to stop importing or selling those products
labelled as ¡§red yolk¡¨ eggs. Contravention of the Regulation is liable
to a maximum fine of HK$50,000 and imprisonment of six months. |
