The Centre for Food Safety (CFS)

Prepackaged bamboo fungi

Product name: 好棧特級野山竹笙（2兩裝）(Not available in English)

Place of origin: China

Packer: 好棧食品有限公司 (Not available in English)

Net weight: 75.6 grams per pack

Best-before date: December 31, 2021

• The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample of bamboo fungi from a shop in Kowloon Bay for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained sulphur dioxide at a level of 3,690 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 500 ppm. The functional class and name of the additive were also not declared on the food label.
• Sulphur dioxide is a commonly used preservative in a variety of foods including dried vegetables, dried fruits, pickled vegetables and salted fish products. This preservative is of low toxicity. As it is water soluble, most of it can be removed through washing and cooking. However, susceptible individuals who are allergic to this preservative may experience breathing difficulties, headache and nausea after consumption.

• The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularities and instructed it to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected batch of the product. The packer concerned has initiated a recall according to the CFS' instructions.
• The CFS is tracing the source of the affected product.

• Stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately.

• Should not consume the affected batch of the product.

The CFS press release

Members of the public may call hotline of the packer concerned at 3188 3141 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.