| Issue date | 7.12.2023 |
|---|---|
| source | Center for Food Safety (Center) - Regular Food Surveillance Program |
| food | Prepackaged red and candied dates |
| Product name and information | Product name: Yaman-made open-edged red dates Brand: Shanshou Net weight: 500 grams made in China Distributor: Yusheng Trading Co., Ltd. Best before this date: September 30, 2024 Hotline: 2392 6288
Product name: golden jujube Brand: Zhanji Net weight: 605 grams made in China Distributor: Junzheng International Co., Ltd. Best before this date: October 31, 2024 Hotline: 2815 5872 |
| Reason for alert | Through the regular food surveillance programme, the CFS collected the above-mentioned red dates and candied date samples from an online shop and a retail store in Yuen Long for testing. The results showed that the sulfur dioxide content of the red date sample was 1,400 parts per million, exceeding the upper limit of 1,000 parts per million under the Preservatives in Food Regulations (Chapter 132BD), and the food label of the sample did not The functional categories and names of relevant additives are indicated. As for the sulfur dioxide content of another candied date sample, although it was lower than the maximum allowable level specified in the law, the food label of the sample did not indicate the type and name of the additive. Sulfur dioxide is a preservative that is used in different types of food such as dried vegetables, dried fruits, pickled vegetables and salted fish products. Sulfur dioxide is soluble in water and most of it can be removed from food by washing and cooking it. However, people who are allergic to sulfur dioxide may experience symptoms such as asthma, headache or nausea after consuming it. |
| Actions taken by the Center for Food Safety | The Center has notified the merchants and distributors/packers involved of the above violations and ordered them to stop selling and remove the affected batches of products from shelves. The relevant distributors/packers have recalled the affected batches of products in accordance with the instructions of the Centre. The CFS will inform the industry, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate actions. The investigation continues. |
| Advice to the industry | If the industry possesses affected products, they should immediately stop using or selling them. |
| Advice to consumers | Consumption of products from the affected batches should be stopped. |
| more info | Press release issued by the Center Members of the public can call the relevant hotline during office hours to inquire about the recycling of the above products. Pictures are for reference only
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Reposted from HKSAR Government webpage:
https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/whatsnew/whatsnew_fa/2023_537.html