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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (June 23) that a sample of "King of Fruits (Super Brand)" (translation) lychee pulp concentrated juice (for catering use only), which was produced in Taiwan and collected from a local frozen confection factory, was found to contain a plasticiser, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). The CFS instructed the trade to immediately stop using the concerned batch of lychee pulp concentrated juice.
A spokesman for the CFS said, "The Centre announced earlier that an 'iceflake' sample was found to contain DEHP.
"During the CFS' follow-up investigations, samples of ingredients for making the 'iceflake', i.e. 'King of Fruits (Super Brand)' lychee pulp concentrated juice (for catering use only), milk essence and milk powder, were taken on the premises of the frozen confection manufacturer Ritza Food Co, Ltd, which produced the 'iceflake', for testing. The CFS also instructed the company to stop at once using those ingredients.
"Test results showed the 'King of Fruits (Super Brand)' lychee pulp concentrated juice sample (due to expire on August 4, 2011) contained DEHP at a level of 2.3 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the action level of 1.5 ppm adopted by the CFS. Test results of the other two samples of milk essence and milk powder were found satisfactory."
The spokesman added, "Meanwhile, no consignment of the 'King of Fruits (Super Brand)' lychee pulp concentrated juice expiring on August 4, 2011 was found when the CFS made follow-up investigations on the supplier of the juice.
"But the CFS collected samples of the other six kinds of 'King of Fruits' juice, namely lychee juice (with an expiry date different from that of the aforesaid sample), lemon juice, blueberry juice, passion fruit juice, orange juice and green apple juice produced in Taiwan for testing. Results were all satisfactory."
He said, "Dietary exposure estimation showed that the exposure to DEHP by average and high consumers from consuming the concerned product would not exceed the Tolerable Daily Intake of 0.025mg/kg of body weight under the World Health Organization Guidelines, which will not pose a risk to human health."
Referring to the "iceflake", the spokesman said, the CFS has earlier instructed the trade to stop its use and sale. The "iceflake" manufacturer also surrendered to the CFS all the remaining stocks of the lychee pulp concentrated juice for disposal.
"The CFS will continue to collect samples of the 'iceflake' supplied by the manufacturer to retail outlets as well as other related products in the market for testing.
"The CFS will continue to closely liaise with the Taiwanese authority on the plasticiser contamination incident, monitor the situation and take appropriate follow-up actions.
"If any food product is found to be tainted with plasticisers, the CFS will make an order as soon as possible to prohibit the import and supply of the product concerned under existing legislation, and to direct that any affected food product be recalled and disposed of," he added.
Ends/Thursday, June 23, 2011
Issued at HKT 21:23
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