Prepackaged preserved duck breast sample not in compliance with nutrition label rules

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (January 18) announced that the sugar content in a prepackaged preserved duck breast sample was found to be inconsistent with the declared value on its nutrition label. Follow-up is in progress.

Product details are as follows:

Product name: Preserved duck breast
Place of origin: China
Net weight: Around 210 grams/two pieces per pack
Packer: A food manufacturer in Guangzhou (no English name available)
Best-before date: July 31, 2016

"Subsequent to detecting a prepackaged preserved duck breast sample with a sugar content inconsistent with the declared value on its nutrition label at a retail outlet in Tsim Sha Tsui, the CFS found the same irregularity in another prepackaged preserved duck breast sample from a different batch at the same retail outlet. The result of chemical analysis showed a discrepancy between the actual sugar content of the sample (16.2g per 100g) and the declared content on its nutrition label (0g per 100g)," a spokesman for the CFS said.

"The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and the vendor has stopped selling and removed from shelves the affected batch of the product according to the instructions of the CFS. Should there be sufficient evidence, prosecution will be instituted. The CFS will continue to trace the source and distribution of the affected product," the spokesman said.

According to Section 61 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), if any person falsely describes a food or misleads as to the nature, substance or quality of the food on a label of the food sold by him, he shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction.

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

Ends/Monday, January 18, 2016