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Dried Chinese white cabbage sample detected with trace amount of colouring matter not permitted in food
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     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (December 1) that a loose-packed dried Chinese white cabbage sample was found to contain a trace amount of sudan dyes, a colouring matter not permitted in food. Follow-up is in progress.
 
     "The CFS collected the dried Chinese white cabbage sample from a stall in Ngau Tau Kok Market for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained sudan dyes at a level of 60 parts per billion," a CFS spokesman said.
 
     The spokesman said that during the investigation, the CFS found that the affected sample was tied up in a bundle with red nylon rope for sale. Hence, the CFS suspected that the trace amount of colouring matter might have originated from the red nylon rope.
 
     The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop selling the affected product. The CFS is tracing the source of the affected product.
 
     Sudan dyes are synthetic chemical dyes for industrial use. Under the Colouring Matter in Food Regulations (Cap 132H), sudan dyes are not permitted in food. 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 action.
 
Ends/Friday, December 1, 2017
Issued at HKT 15:01
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