Prepackaged macaroni sample not in compliance with nutrition label rule

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (March 13) announced that the total fat content of a sample of prepackaged macaroni for infants and young children was found to be inconsistent with the declared content on its nutrition label. The CFS urged the trade to stop selling the affected batch of the product immediately.

Product details are as follows:

Product name: Organic spelt macaroni
Brand: Bellamy's
Place of origin: Australia
Importer/Distributor: Bellamy's Organic (Hong Kong) Company Limited
Net weight: 200 grams per box
Best before date: February 3, 2018

A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS collected the above sample from a supermarket in Tsim Sha Tsui for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that there was a discrepancy between the actual total fat content (2.3g per 100g) and the declared content (1.1g 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 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/Tuesday, March 13, 2018