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A spokesman for the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (July 24) said that two samples of fresh beef were detected with sulphur dioxide, a preservative which is not permitted to be used in fresh meat. Prosecution will be taken against the vendors concerned.
"Following up a food complaint, the CFS took a fresh beef sample from a fresh provision shop at Hip Wo Street in Kwun Tong for testing and it was found to contain sulphur dioxide at a level of 3 600 parts per million (ppm). Separately, upon following up of an earlier case of adulterated fresh beef with sulphur dioxide, the CFS took a fresh beef sample from a stall at Fa Yuen Street Market for testing and it was found to contain sulphur dioxide at a level of 52 ppm. The CFS has issued warning letters to the vendors. Prosecution will be taken and follow-up samples have been taken from the vendors for testing to ensure compliance with relevant statutory provisions. The samples concerned are being processed," the spokesman said.
"Sulphur dioxide is a commonly used preservative in a variety of foods including dried fruits, pickled vegetables and meat products such as sausages and grilled burgers, but under the Preservatives in Food Regulation (subsidiary legislation of Cap 132), it is not permitted in fresh or chilled meat. Nonetheless, individual meat traders have been found illegally using sulphur dioxide to make the meat look fresher. 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 difficulty, headache and nausea," he added.
The spokesman reminded the food trade to comply with the law and not to sell fresh or chilled meat adulterated with sulphur dioxide. Selling such meat is an offence which carries a maximum penalty of a $50,000 fine and six months' imprisonment. Upon conviction, the FEHD will also suspend or cancel the fresh provision shop licence concerned under the Demerit Points System. For offences related to public market stalls, the tenancy will be terminated in accordance with the current mechanism.
The spokesman advised members of the public to purchase meat from reliable market stalls or fresh provision shops. They should avoid buying or consuming meat which is unnaturally red and maintain a balanced diet to avoid malnutrition or excessive exposure to chemicals from a small range of food items.
Ends/Thursday, July 24, 2014
Issued at HKT 20:59
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