Two kinds of prepackaged rice products may contain gluten

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (January 27) said that two samples of prepackaged rice products were detected with gluten, but it was not declared on the products' food labels. A CFS spokesman said consumers who are intolerant to gluten are advised not to consume the batches of the products concerned. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batches of the products immediately should they possess them.

     Product details are as follows:

1.
Product name: Rice Vermicelli
Brand: Sun Phoenix
Place of origin: China
Distributor: Sun Yik Food Limited (hotline: 6330 0136)
Net weight: 400 grams per pack
Best-before date: June 2, 2023

2.
Product name: Hsin Tung Yang Rice Noodles
Brand: Hsin Tung Yang
Place of origin: Taiwan
Distributor: B&S Company (hotline: 3628 7800)
Net weight: 300g per pack
Best-before date: November 1, 2023

     The spokesman said, "The CFS collected the above-mentioned samples from two supermarkets in Eastern District respectively for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test results showed that the samples contained gluten, but it was not declared on the food labels. The CFS has informed the vendors concerned of the irregularities and instructed them to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected batches of the products. The distributors concerned have initiated recalls on the affected batches of the products. For enquiries about the recalls, members of the public may call the hotlines of the distributors concerned. 

     "Individuals who are intolerant to gluten may develop symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and rash upon consumption," he added.

     The spokesman advised consumers who are intolerant to gluten not to eat the affected batches of the products, and to seek medical treatment if they feel unwell after consuming the food. The trade should also stop using or selling the above batches of the affected products immediately should they possess them.

     The Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap. 132W) require that all prepackaged food for sale in Hong Kong should list out the food ingredients in the list of ingredients. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.

     The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.