Bottled preserved bean curd from Taiwan contains colouring matter Dimethyl yellow

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (January 16) urged the public not to consume a kind of bottled preserved bean curd imported from Taiwan which was found to contain Dimethyl yellow, a non-permitted colouring matter in food.  The trade should also stop selling the affected product immediately, regardless of batches.

Details of the product are as follows:

Product name: Doshee Preserved Chili Bean Curd
Place of origin: Taiwan
Weight: 300 grammes per bottle

"The sample was collected at a supermarket in Quarry Bay for testing under the CFS' regular Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained Dimethyl yellow. The CFS will inform the vendor concerned of the test result, instruct the vendor to stop the sale of the food concerned, and trace the source and distribution of the food item in question," a CFS spokesman said.

According to the Colouring Matter in Food Regulations (Cap. 132H), Dimethyl yellow is not permitted to be used in food in Hong Kong. The maximum penalty for selling food containing added non-permitted colouring matter is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment if convicted.

"Although there have been research results showing that Dimethyl yellow might cause cancer in experimental animals, no sufficient evidence has been found to confirm the health effects on humans from dietary intake of this colouring matter. However, for the sake of prudence, retailers should stop selling the affected products and return them to the supplier/importer concerned. Consumers should also avoid consuming the affected products," the spokesman said.

The CFS will alert the trade of the incident and inform the Taiwanese authorities of the test result. The Centre will continue to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate actions to safeguard food safety and public health. Investigation is ongoing.
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Ends/Friday, January 16, 2015