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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (March 3) announced test results of a survey on popular food items conducted earlier on hotpot soup bases. Among the 67 samples collected, one sample was found unsatisfactory. The overall satisfactory rate was 98.5%.
A CFS spokesman said in view of the public's concern about media reports on "One Drop of Incense" usage in food premises in the Mainland and the safety of soup ingredients in hotpot, the CFS collected different types of hotpot soup bases, including prepackaged soup packs, from several local food premises in the past three months for chemical tests. The tests cover heavy metals, colouring matters, preservatives, antioxidants and mineral oil (e.g. paraffin). During this period, the centre has not detected "One Drop of Incense" available for sale locally.
"The unsatisfactory sample was found to contain a non-permitted colouring matter in food, Orange II. Normal consumption of food containing Orange II, which is of low toxicity, should not pose adverse health effects," the spokesman said.
Regarding the unsatisfactory sample, the spokesman said, the CFS had taken follow-up action including source tracing, requesting concerned vendor to stop sale and dispose of those unsatisfactory food items, taking further samples and issuing warning letter. If there is sufficient evidence, prosecution will be taken.
He reminded the food trade to follow Good Manufacturing Practice and comply with legal requirements in the use of food addictives.
The spokesman also advised members of the public to follow the "Five Keys to Food Safety" when enjoying hotpot to prevent foodborne diseases. He also reminded people to maintain a balanced diet and avoid excessive intake of food.
For details of the survey on hotpot soup bases and more food safety tips, please visit the CFS website www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_fs/files/Hotpot_Soup_Bases_e.pdf and www.cfs.gov.hk/english/multimedia/multimedia_pub/files/food_safety_in_hotpot_cooking.pdf.
Ends/Thursday, March 3, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:17
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