Prepackaged chocolate sample not in compliance with nutrition label rules

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (April 27) announced that the sodium content of a prepackaged chocolate sample was found to be inconsistent with the declared value on the nutrition label. The CFS urged the trade to stop selling the affected batch of the product immediately.

Product details are as follows:

Product name: Maltesers Dark
Place of origin: Australia
Manufacturer: Mars Chocolate Australia
Net weight: 90 grams per pack
Best-before date: December 6, 2016

"The CFS collected the above-mentioned chocolate sample from a supermarket in Causeway Bay under its regular Food Surveillance Programme. The result of chemical analysis showed that it contained sodium at a level of 110 milligrams per 100g, which was inconsistent with its declared value (64mg per 100g)," a spokesman for the CFS said.

"The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity. The vendor concerned has removed from shelves and stopped sale of the affected batch of the product according to the instructions of the CFS. The CFS has also followed up with the supplier concerned to trace the distribution of the affected product."

According to Section 61 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), if any person falsely describes a food or misleads as to the nature, substance or quality of the food on a label of the food sold by him, he shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction.

The CFS will inform the trade, continue to follow up on the case and take appropriate action.

Ends/Wednesday, April 27, 2016