CFS urges public not to consume seasoning from Spain with possible presence of ethylene oxide

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (March 18) urged the public not to consume a kind of seasoning imported from Spain because the sesame seed used in the product was found with a pesticide, ethylene oxide, which is not authorised by the European Union (EU). The trade should stop using or selling the product concerned immediately if they possess it.
     
Details of the product are as follows:

Product name: Mexican Seasoning
Brand: DANI
Place of origin: Spain
Net weight: 40 grams per bottle
Importer: Sure Profit Trading Ltd.
Best-before date: May 31, 2024

A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS received a notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) of the European Commission that the sesame seed used in the above-mentioned product was found earlier with a pesticide, ethylene oxide, which is not authorised by the EU. According to the information provided by the RASFF, the affected product has been imported into Hong Kong. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately contacted the local importer concerned for follow-up."

A preliminary investigation found that the importer, Sure Profit Trading Ltd., had imported the affected product into Hong Kong. Since ethylene oxide is not authorised by the EU, for the sake of prudence, the importer has removed the product from shelves and stopped the sale of the affected product upon the CFS' advice and has initiated a recall. Enquiries about the recall can be made to the hotline of the importer at 2798 6699 during office hours.

The spokesman urged consumers not to consume the affected product if they have bought any. The trade should also stop using or selling the product concerned immediately if they possess it.

The CFS will alert the trade to the incident, and will continue to follow up and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.
 
Ends/Thursday, March 18, 2021