CFS considers issuing Food Safety Order to mandate recall of edible fats and oils produced by Beei Hae and Shyeh Chyng in Taiwan and related food products

A spokesman for the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (November 4) said that the CFS was considering issuing a third Food Safety Order (Order) in relation to the substandard fats and oils incident in Taiwan to prohibit importing into and supplying within Hong Kong all edible fats and oils (of animal or plant origins) produced by Beei Hae Oil and Fats Co., Ltd (Beei Hae) and Shyeh Chyng Enterprise Co., Ltd (Shyeh Chyng) in Taiwan and all food products made with the above-mentioned fats and oils. Food traders will also be ordered to recall the affected products supplied by them.

A CFS spokesman said, "According to the information released by the Taiwanese authorities last night, Beei Hae and Shyeh Chyng were suspected to have adulterated edible oils manufactured or bought by them with oils not intended for human consumption and processed the adulterated products as edible lard for sale. The Taiwanese authorities have thus ordered a mandatory removal from shelves all the products affected. Investigation by the CFS earlier revealed that some importers in Hong Kong had imported fats and oils products produced by the two companies concerned. Although the CFS took precautionary measures early last month to stop the import into and supply within Hong Kong all edible oils produced in Taiwan and has achieved desired results, the CFS, after taking into account the latest information that fats and oils products produced by Beei Hae and Shyeh Chyng are very likely unfit for human consumption, is considering issuing a third Order subsequent to the ones issued on September 14 and October 29, to mandate the recall of all edible fats and oils produced by Beei Hae and Shyeh Chyng and food products made with such fats and oils by food traders in a systematic manner to ensure that they are no longer in circulation in the local market so as to further safeguard public health. The CFS will announce details upon completion of the relevant procedure."

Between October 9 and 30, the CFS has marked and sealed about 240 tonnes of edible fats and oils imported from Taiwan.

The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action, which includes liaising with the Taiwanese authorities closely, conducting investigations and monitoring the recall. The CFS will also adopt a risk-based approach and enhance surveillance of edible oil and relatively high-risk foods to ensure food safety.

Ends/Tuesday, November 4, 2014