​The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (December 18) announced that a sample of prepackaged oat wrap imported from Australia was found to contain sorbic acid, a preservative not permitted to be added in bread-type products, and the preservative was not declared on its food label, breaching the food labelling regulations. The CFS is following up on the incident.
Product details are as follows:
Product name: Oat Wraps
Brand name: Mountain Bread
Place of origin: Australia
Manufacturer: Mountain Bread
Net weight: 200 grams per pack
Best-before date: December 31, 2018
"The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from a supermarket in Pok Fu Lam for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained sorbic acid at a level of 2 090 parts per million. According to the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap 132BD), sorbic acid is not permitted to be added in bread-type products." the CFS spokesman said.
The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected batch of the product.
The spokesman said, "Sorbic acid is a preservative of low-toxicity. Based on the level detected in the above-mentioned sample, adverse health effects will not be caused by usual consumption."
The spokesman reminded the food trade that the use of preservatives in food must comply with the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap 132BD). Offenders of the regulation are 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 case and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.
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