320 grams

End May, 2024

Benzoic Acid

1. 1400 parts per million
2. The preservative was also not declared on the food label of the sample in accordance with the Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations

160 parts per million

A retail shop in Kowloon City

1. The Centre for Food Safety has instructed the vendors 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. According to Regulation 4A(1) and 5(1AA) of the Food and Drugs (Composition And Labelling) Regulations (Cap 132W), prepackaged food shall be marked and labelled in the manner prescribed in Schedule 3. Any person who advertises for sale, sells or manufactures for sale any prepackaged food which is not marked or labelled in compliance with regulation 4A(1) or 4B(1) may be prosecuted and is liable upon conviction to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

4. Based on the level of benzoic acid detected in the sample, adverse health effects would not be caused under usual consumption.

5. The Centre for Food Safety will inform the trade, continue to follow up on the unsatisfactory result, including tracing the source of the food in question and taking sample for testing. 

6. Investigation is ongoing.