Prepacked Chilli Sesame B.B.Q. Fish imported from Thailand detected with non-permitted preservative sorbic acid

Background:

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department received a notification from the Macau Authority that a batch of prepacked Chilli Sesame B.B.Q. Fish imported from Hong Kong was found to contain sorbic acid, exceeding the standard of Macau. The CFS therefore immediately contacted the local importer concerned for follow-up. According to the information provided by the importer, the affected batch of product was available for sale in Hong Kong and had been sold out.

Food name:

Chilli Sesame B.B.Q. Fish

Brand Name:

瀨戶漁の島

Country of Origin:

Thailand

Net Weight:

100 grams per pack

Best Before:

10.01.2021

Manufacturer:

Thai Mee Company Limited

Importer:

Smart Year Limited

Preservatives:

Sorbic acid

Detected level:

1920 parts per million

Maximum legal limit:

Non-permitted

Remarks:
  1. The CFS had informed the importer concerned of the irregularities and the importer had already stopped sale of the affected products according to CFS' instructions.
  2. Sorbic acid is a preservative of low-toxicity. Based on the level of detected in the above-mentioned sample, adverse health effects will not be caused under usual consumption.
  3. According to the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap 132BD), sorbic acid is not permitted to be added in dried fish and fish products. An offender is subject to a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction. 
  4. The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.

END/ FRIDAY 13 March, 2020