Prepackaged teething rusk not in compliance with nutrition label rule

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (January 8) announced that the total fat content of a prepackaged teething rusk sample was found to be inconsistent with the declared content on its nutrition label. The CFS urged the trade to stop selling the product immediately.

Product details are as follows:

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: January 31, 2019

A spokesman for the CFS said, "Subsequent to announcing earlier that the total fat content of a teething rusk sample taken from a supermarket was found to be inconsistent with the declared value on its nutrition label, the CFS detected a similar irregularity in another teething rusk sample of the same kind but of a different batch taken from the same place for testing during follow-up investigation. The test result showed that there was a discrepancy between the actual total fat content (2g per 100g) and the declared content (0.2g per 100g) on its nutrition label."

He added, "The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and the vendor concerned has stopped sale and removed from shelves all batches of the affected product 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 case and take appropriate action.

Ends/Monday, January 8, 2018

*Results of samples with irregularities are uploaded to CFS' website:
http://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/unsat_samples/unsat_samples.html