Prepackaged chocolate sample not in compliance with nutrition label rules

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (May 4) announced that the sodium content in a prepackaged chocolate sample was found to be inconsistent with the declared value on its nutrition label. Follow-up is in progress.

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: February 7, 2017

"Subsequent to announcing a prepackaged chocolate sample with a sodium content inconsistent with the declared value on its nutrition label collected from a supermarket in Causeway Bay earlier, the CFS found a similar irregularity in another prepackaged chocolate sample of the same kind but from a different batch at the same supermarket. The results of chemical analysis showed that it contained sodium at a level of 98 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 and the vendor has stopped selling and removed from shelves the affected product according to the instructions of the CFS. Should there be sufficient evidence, prosecution will be instituted. The CFS has also followed up with the supplier concerned to trace the distribution of the affected product," the spokesman said.

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, they 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, May 4, 2016