Ethylene oxide found in samples of canned pasta sauce

Centre for Food Safety

Canned pasta sauce

Product name: Hunts Pasta Sauce (Traditional)

Brand: Hunts

Place of origin: United States

Net weight: 24oz (680g)

Best-before date: December 26, 2024

Importer: SIMS Trading Company Limited

Product name: Hunts Pasta Sauce (Mushroom)

Brand: Hunts

Place of origin: United States

Net weight: 24oz (680g)

Best-before date: September 8, 2024

Importer: SIMS Trading Company Limited

Product name: Hunts Pasta Sauce (Garlic & Herb)

Brand: Hunts

Place of origin: United States

Net weight: 24oz (680g)

Best-before date: July 31, 2025

Importer: SIMS Trading Company Limited

• The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) collected the above-mentioned samples from two supermarkets in Kowloon City and Tsing Yi for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test results showed that the samples contained a pesticide, ethylene oxide.  
• The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified ethylene oxide as a Group 1 carcinogen.

• The CFS has informed the vendors concerned of the irregularities and instructed them to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected products. According to the CFS's instructions, the importer concerned has initiated recalls on the affected products.
• The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incidents and take appropriate action. Investigations are ongoing.

• Stop using or selling the affected products immediately if they possess any of them.

• Not to consume the affected products.

The CFS press release

Members of the public may call the importer's hotline at 2262 1559 during office hours for enquiries about the recalls of the products concerned.

Photos for reference only