Prepackaged rice dumpling sample not in compliance with nutrition label rules

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (May 23) announced that the sodium content in a prepackaged rice dumpling 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: Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Lotus Seed Paste
Brand name: Super Star
Place of origin: Hong Kong
Sole agent: Super Star Group
Packing: One piece per pack
Use-by date: June 2, 2016

"Subsequent to announcing a prepackaged rice dumpling sample with sodium content inconsistent with the declared value on its nutrition label collected from a restaurant in Lai Chi Kok earlier, the CFS found the same irregularity in another prepackaged rice dumpling sample of the same kind but from a different batch at the same restaurant. The result of chemical analysis showed that it contained sodium at a level of 150 milligrams per 100 grams, which was inconsistent with its declared value (73mg 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 that kind of product (all batches) according to the instructions of the CFS. Should there be sufficient evidence, prosecution will be instituted. The CFS has also followed up with the sole agent of the product 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 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 continue to follow up on the case and take appropriate action.

Ends/Monday, May 23, 2016