Antioxidant exceeds legal limit in prepackaged purple yam noodle sample

Food name: 紫玉淮山麵 (Not available in English)
Brand: 沾沾 (Not available in English)
Net Weight: 270 grams
Place of origin: China
Best before date: January 10, 2023
Antioxidant: Butylated hydroxytoluene
Detected level: 1040 parts per million
Maximum permitted level: 200 parts per million
Sampling location: A retail shop in Kwun Tong

Remarks:

  1. The CFS has instructed the trade to stop selling the incriminated batch of the affected product.
  2. According to the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap 132BD), any person who sells food with preservative above the legal limit may be prosecuted and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction.
  3. Based on the level of Butylated hydroxytoluene detected in the sample, adverse health effects would not be caused under usual consumption.
  4. The CFS will inform the trade, continue to follow up on the unsatisfactory result, including tracing the source of the food in question so as to safeguard public health. Prosecution will be instituted should there be sufficient evidence.
  5. Investigation is ongoing.

END/ Thursday, March 24, 2022