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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (June 2) said that a batch of prepacked mustard imported from Taiwan was found to be in breach of food labelling regulations for not declaring on its food label that it contained a permitted colouring matter, Sunset Yellow FCF. The CFS urged the trade to stop selling the product concerned immediately.
Product details are as follows:
Product name: "Tsin Tsu Wei" Pickled Mustard
Place of origin: Taiwan
Distributor: Michael Wah Hing Company Limited
Packing: 250 grams
Best before date: May 7, 2016
"The CFS took the abovementioned mustard sample from a supermarket in Tuen Mun for testing under its regular Food Surveillance Programme. Result showed that the sample contained a permitted colouring matter for food use, Sunset Yellow FCF, but it was not declared on the list of ingredients on the sample's food label. The vendor concerned has been informed of the irregularity and was instructed to stop selling the affected batch of product. Prosecution will be considered," a CFS spokesman said.
"The CFS has also informed the distributor of the product concerned to trace the distribution of the affected product. The Centre will also alert the trade to the incident and urge them to stop selling the product concerned," he added.
The spokesman urged the trade to observe the relevant laws and regulations. The Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap. 132W) require that all prepackaged food for sale in Hong Kong should list out the food ingredients in the list of ingredients. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.
The CFS will continue to follow up on the case and take appropriate actions.
Ends/Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Issued at HKT 19:44
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