Test results on rice dumplings

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) recently collected rice dumpling samples for microbiological and chemical testing.

Another batch of results available today (June 7) indicated that one sample was found to contain trace amount of non-permitted colouring matter, Sudan IV.

Results for the other 34 samples were all satisfactory.

A CFS spokesman said the unsatisfactory sample was taken from a restaurant which has been asked to stop selling the rice dumplings in question.

"The level of Sudan IV detected was 0.046ppm. Normal consumption should not have any adverse health effects on consumers," the spokesman said.

Apart from tests on colouring matters, chemical tests are conducted to detect preservatives (such as boric acid, salicylic acid and benzoic acid), heavy metals (such as arsenic, cadmium and mercury) and pesticide residues (such as methamidophos and DDT). The microbiological tests cover pathogenic bacteria (such as Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus).

Ends/Thursday, June 7, 2007