Bottled chili sauce sample in breach of food labelling regulation

Issue Date 24.11.2023
Source of Information

Centre for Food Safety

Food Product

Chili sauce

Product Name and Description

Product name: SRIRACHA HOT CHILI SAUCE

Manufacturer: HUY FONG FOODS, INC. USA

Place of origin: United States

Net weight: 255 grams

Distributor: H.K. Rice Merchants Enterprises Ltd.

Best-before date: July 12, 2025

Reason For Issuing Alert
  • The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) collected the above-mentioned sample from a supermarket in Tin Hau for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained sulphur dioxide. Although the sulphur dioxide level is below the maximum permitted level under the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap. 132BD), the name of the additive was not declared on the food label of the sample.  
  • Sulphur dioxide is a preservative which can be used in a variety of foods including dried vegetables, dried fruits, pickled vegetables and salted fish products. However, susceptible individuals who are allergic to this preservative may experience breathing difficulties, headache and nausea after consumption.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety
  • The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularities and instructed them to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected batch of the product. The vendor concerned has initiated a recall according to the CFS's instructions.
  • The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.
Advice to the Trade
  • Stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately if they possess it.
Advice to Consumers
  • Not to consume the affected batch of the product.
Further Information

The CFS press release

Members of the public may call the vendor’s hotline at 2340 0241 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.

Photos for reference only

Centre for Food Safety
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
2023-11-24

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