Prepackaged mooncake sample not in compliance with nutrition label rules

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (September 2) announced that the saturated fatty acids content in a prepackaged mooncake 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: White Lotus Seed Paste Mooncake
Place of origin: Hong Kong
Manufacturer: Kee Wah Bakery
Packing: Four pieces per box (serving size: 1/4 piece (46.25 grams))
Best before date: October 14, 2016

"The CFS collected the above-mentioned mooncake sample from a retail outlet in Mongkok under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The result of chemical analysis showed a discrepancy between the sample's actual saturated fatty acids content (2.7g per 100g) and the declared content on its nutrition label (0.6g per serving (46.25g), i.e. 1.297g per 100g)," a spokesman for the CFS said.

"The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and 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 is tracing the distribution of the affected product. Should there be sufficient evidence, prosecution will be instituted," the spokesman added.

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 them, they shall be guilty of an offence and 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/Friday, September 2, 2016