Prepackaged shrimp cracker sample not in compliance with nutrition label rule
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (March 8) announced that the sugar content of a prepackaged shrimp cracker sample was found to be inconsistent with the declared content on its nutrition label. The CFS urged the trade to stop selling the affected product immediately.
Product details are as follows:
Product name: Usami shrimp cracker
Brand: Not available in English
Place of origin: Japan
Manufacturer: Not available in English
Importer/retailer: City Super Limited
Net weight: 150 grams per pack
Best before date: March 5, 2018
A spokesman for the CFS said, "Subsequent to announcing earlier that the sugar content of a shrimp cracker sample taken from a retail outlet of the importer/retailer in Tsim Sha Tsui was found to be inconsistent with the declared value on its nutrition label, the CFS detected a similar irregularity in another shrimp cracker sample of the same kind but of a different batch taken from the same outlet for testing during follow-up investigations. The test result showed that there was a discrepancy between the actual sugar content (21.7g per 100g) and the declared content (2g per 100g) on its nutrition label.
"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," the spokesman said.
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/Thursday, March 8, 2018