Prepackaged dried mango sample detected with lead at level that may have breached Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (December 24) announced that a prepackaged dried mango sample was detected with lead, a metallic contaminant, at a level which may have contravened the Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations. The CFS is following up on the incident.

​Product details are as follows:

Product: Dried Mangoes
Brand: 7D
Place of origin: The Philippines
Manufacturer: FPD Food International, Inc
Retailer: HKTV Mall
Net weight: 200 grams per pack
Best-before date: April 15, 2021

A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from an online shop for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained lead at a level of 1.58 parts per million (ppm). The CFS' risk assessment revealed that the metal level of the sample is dangerous or prejudicial to health."

The spokesman added, "Long-term excessive dietary exposure to lead may cause anaemia and damage to the nervous system and kidneys."

The CFS has informed the retailer concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected batch of the product. The retailer concerned has also initiated a recall according to the CFS' instruction. Members of the public may call the retailer's hotline at *3145 6888  during office hours for enquiries about the recall. The CFS is also tracing the source of the affected product.

According to the Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations (Cap 132V), any person who sells food with metallic contamination in an amount that is dangerous or prejudicial to health is liable upon conviction to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.
 
Ends/Thursday, December 24, 2020

*This hotline has been revised on December 29, 2020