Prepackaged udon sample not in compliance with nutrition label rule

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (October 4) announced that the sodium content of a prepackaged udon 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: Fresh Udon
Product brand: 759 Store
Place of origin: Korea
Manufacturer: Samlip General Foods Co, Ltd
Retailer: 759 Store
Net weight: 250 grams each piece, five pieces per pack
Best before date: March 6, 2019

A spokesman for the CFS said, "Subsequent to announcing earlier that the sodium content of a udon sample taken from a store of the retailer in Tai Kok Tsui was found to be inconsistent with its declared value on its nutrition label, the CFS detected a similar irregularity in another udon sample of the same kind but of a different batch taken from a store of the retailer in Fortress Hill for testing during follow-up investigations. The test result showed that there was a discrepancy between the actual sodium content (170mg per 100g) and the declared content on its nutrition label (69mg per 100g)."

He added, "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 CFS' instructions. Should there be sufficient evidence, prosecution will be instituted."

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/Wednesday, October 4, 2017