Prepackaged teething rusk and cornmeal samples not in compliance with nutrition label rules

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (December 8) announced that the total fat content of a prepackaged teething rusk sample and the sugar content of a cornmeal sample were found to be inconsistent with the declared contents on their nutrition labels. The CFS urged the trade to stop selling the affected batches of the products immediately.

Product details are as follows:

(1) Product name: Teething Rusks
Brand: Heinz
Place of origin: Australia
Packer/importer: Heinz Hong Kong Limited
Net weight: 100 grams per box
Best-before date: December 6, 2018

(2) Product name: Fine Grind Cornmeal
Brand: Bob's Red Mill
Place of origin: US
Manufacturer: Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods
Distributor: The Dairy Farm Company Limited
Net weight: 24 ounces/680g per pack
Best-before date: November 17, 2018

A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS collected the above teething rusk sample from a supermarket in the Mid-Levels for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that there was a discrepancy between the actual content of total fat (1.9g per 100g) and the declared content (0.2g per 100g) on its nutrition label. In addition, subsequent to announcing earlier that the nutrient contents of a prepackaged cornmeal sample taken from a supermarket in Causeway Bay were found to be inconsistent with the declared values on its nutrition label, the CFS collected the above cornmeal sample of the same kind but of a different batch from the same supermarket for testing during follow-up investigations. The test result showed that there was a discrepancy between the actual sugar content (1.4g per 100g) and the declared content (0g per 100g) on its nutrition label."

He added, "The CFS has informed the vendors concerned of the irregularities and the vendors concerned have stopped sale and removed from shelves the affected batches of the products according to the 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 or her, he or she 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 cases and take appropriate action.

Ends/Friday, December 8, 2017