Prepackaged cookies sample not in compliance with nutrition label rules

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (June 7) announced that the saturated fatty acids content in a prepackaged cookies 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: OREO Cream Sandwich Cookies
Place of origin: Japan
Manufacturer: Yamazaki-Nabisco Co., Ltd.
Packing: Two servings per package (95.4 grams per serving size)
Best before date: June 11, 2016

"The CFS collected the above-mentioned cookies sample from a department store in Tsuen Wan under its regular Food Surveillance Programme. The result of chemical analysis showed that it contained saturated fatty acids at a level of 12.1g per 100g, which was inconsistent with its declared value of 5.9g per serving (95.4g) (i.e. 6.18g per 100g)," a spokesman for the CFS said.

"The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and found that sale of the affected batch of the product has ceased. The CFS is also tracing 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/Tuesday, June 7, 2016