Undeclared allergen (prawn) found in prepackaged teriyaki crackers

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (July 22) announced that a kind of prepackaged teriyaki crackers produced in the United Kingdom (UK) was found to contain a food allergen, crustaceans (prawn), but it was not declared on the food label. A spokesman for the CFS advised consumers who are allergic to prawns to refrain from consuming the product.

Product details are as follows:

Product name: M&S Teriyaki Crackers
Place of origin: UK
Manufacturer: Marks and Spencer
Net weight: 60 grams per pack
Product code: 00796859
Best-before dates: Up to and including November 8, 2016

"The CFS has learned through its Food Incident Surveillance System notices issued by the UK Food Standards Agency and Food Safety Authority of Ireland that the manufacturer concerned is recalling the above-mentioned teriyaki crackers as crustaceans (prawn), which can cause food allergies, are present in a small number of packs, but they are not declared on the food label. The CFS immediately followed up with the Hong Kong importer/retailer concerned, Marks and Spencer (Asia Pacific) Limited, which confirmed that the affected product was imported and sold in its chain stores, and some 800 packs had already been sold. Upon notification by the UK manufacturer earlier, the importer/retailer concerned has immediately stopped sale and removed from shelves the affected product, and will dispose of all remaining stock," the spokesman said.

Members of the public may call Marks and Spencer (Asia Pacific) Limited's hotline at 3656 2218 for enquiries during office hours about the recall. Meanwhile, for the sake of prudence, the CFS has conducted sales checks at the chain's retail outlets concerned and so far no affected product was found available for sale.

The spokesman advised consumers who are allergic to prawns to stop consuming the product concerned. People should seek medical treatment if they feel unwell after consuming it.

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 in its list of ingredients. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.

The CFS will alert the trade to the incident and will continue to follow up and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.

Ends/Friday, July 22, 2016