Test results of mooncakes
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (August 30) announced the results of tests of 131 mooncake samples under its latest Seasonal Food Surveillance Programme with only one sample of ice-cream mooncake being unsatisfactory.
The CFS collected various types of mooncake samples, including traditional, snowy and ice-cream mooncakes, from retail outlets and food factories for chemical and microbiological tests. The chemical tests included preservatives, colouring matters, sweeteners and antioxidants. The microbiological tests covered pathogens such as Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes.
All the sample results were satisfactory as far as the chemical tests were concerned. For microbiological tests, no sample was detected with pathogens. However, an ice-cream mooncake sample was found to have total bacterial count at the level of 120,000 per gramme, exceeding legal limit.
"No pathogen which could pose adverse health effects was detected in the ice-cream mooncake sample in question. Total bacterial count is a hygiene indicator. The level detected in the sample is believed to be an indication of sub-optimal hygienic or storage conditions at the food premises concerned during handling," a CFS spokesman said.
"The sample was collected from an ice-cream retail outlet. Microbiological testing results for five ice-cream mooncake samples of the same brand taken from other outlets were satisfactory. We have taken follow-up actions, including issuing warning letter to the concerned retail outlet and asking it to stop selling and destroy the product concerned. The CFS will consider instigating prosecutions if there is sufficient evidence."
Under the law, any frozen confection for sale, including ice-cream mooncakes, should not contain more than 50,000 bacteria per gramme. The maximum penalty for offenders is a fine of $10,000 and three months' imprisonment.
The spokesman urged the trade to ensure that their food products were fit for human consumption and met legal requirements. They should also observe good hygiene practices in preparing and handling food.
"Snowy and ice-cream mooncakes, which do not undergo a baking process at high temperature, need to be handled hygienically during processing, transportation and storage to avoid contamination and growth of food poisoning germs," he said.
The spokesman also reminded people that mooncakes could cause food safety concern if not properly stored. People should also buy mooncakes only from reliable retail outlets to ensure the quality of the product.
Following are some safety tips for mooncake lovers:
* Check the expiry dates of mooncakes and eat them within the recommended period;
* Check if mooncakes are properly packaged;
* Take the mooncakes, snowy mooncakes and ice-cream mooncakes in particular, home immediately after purchase, and keep them in the refrigerator. Snowy mooncakes should be kept at four degrees Celsius or below, while ice-cream mooncakes at minus 18 degrees Celsius or below;
* Use a cooler with ice when carrying snowy or ice-cream mooncakes outdoors; and
* Discard snowy and ice-cream mooncakes that have been kept at room temperature for more than two hours.
The spokesman said people should eat mooncakes moderately as most of these cakes were rich in sugar and fat. Those with chronic illnesses should consult physicians or dietitians before eating mooncakes.
Ends/Thursday, August 30, 2007
