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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (December 2) announced that a bottled vinegar sample was found to contain monosodium glutamate (MSG), which was inconsistent with the relevant claim on its food label. The CFS urged the trade to stop selling the affected batch of the product immediately.
Product details are as follows:
Product name: TUNG CHUN Chinkiang Vinegar
Place of origin: Hong Kong
Manufacturer: Tung Chun Food Manufacturing Limited
Volume: 300 millilitres per bottle
Best-before date: March 28, 2018
"The above-mentioned sample was taken from a department store in Tai Po for testing under the CFS' regular Food Surveillance Programme. The result of chemical analysis showed that it contained MSG at a level of 730 parts per million, which was inconsistent with the 'no MSG' claim on its food label," a spokesman for the CFS said.
"The CFS has informed the retailer concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to remove from shelves and stop sale of the affected batch of the product. Prosecution will be instituted should there be sufficient evidence. The CFS has also followed up with the manufacturer concerned to trace the distribution of the affected product, and request the manufacturer to stop sale of the product and remove it from shelves," he added.
The spokesman urged the trade to observe the relevant laws and regulations. According to Section 61 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), if any person falsely describes a food or misleads as to the nature, substance or quality of the food on a label of the food sold by him, he shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction.
The CFS will inform the trade, continue to follow up on the cases and take appropriate action.
Ends/Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:10
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