Prepackaged candy sample not in compliance with nutrition label rule

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (January 5) announced that the sodium content of a prepackaged candy sample was found to be inconsistent with the declared content on its nutrition label. The CFS urged the trade to stop selling the affected batch of the product immediately.

Product details are as follows:

Product name: Sugus Assorted Fruit Flavour Chews
Place of origin: Thailand
Manufacturer: Rubia Industries Ltd
Net weight: 175 grams per pack
Best-before date: February 22, 2017

A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from a supermarket in Central and Western District for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that there was a discrepancy between the actual sodium content (49mg per 100g) and the declared content (0mg per 25g, i.e. 0mg per 100g) on its nutrition label."

"The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and the vendor concerned has stopped sale and removed from shelves the affected batch of the product according to the instructions of the CFS. The CFS is also tracing the source and distribution of the affected product," he added.

According to Section 61 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), if any person falsely describes 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/Thursday, January 5, 2017