Two prepackaged beef jerky samples detected with non-permitted preservative

Food Name:

1. KaoLiang-Liquor Original Flavor Beef Jerky

2. Old Street Gift (Beef Jerky)

Brand:

1. KOW KUN BEEF JERKY

2. (Not available in English)

Net weight:

1. 170 g

2. 120 g

Place of origin:

 Taiwan

Best before date:

1. April 30, 2023

2. July 20, 2023

Preservative:

 Sorbic acid

Detected level:

1. 1300 parts per million

2. 1500 parts per million

Maximum permitted level:

 Not permitted

Sampling location:

1. A retail shop at Tai Koo

2. A retail shop at North Point

Remarks:
  1. The Centre for Food Safety has instructed the vendors to stop selling the incriminated batches of the affected products.
  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 Sorbic acid detected in the sample, adverse health effects would not be caused under usual consumption.
  4. 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. Prosecution will be instituted should there be sufficient evidence.
  5. Investigation is ongoing.

END/ Monday, March 6, 2023