Food Alerts / Allergy Alerts - Not to consume a plasticiser-tainted hot bean paste imported from Taiwan

Not to consume a plasticiser-tainted hot bean paste imported from Taiwan

Issue Date	24.8.2011
Source of Information	The Centre for Food Safety (CFS)
Food Product	Sauce
Product Name and Description	Brand name and food name: "Ming Shan Brand" (translation) Hot Bean Paste Manufacturer: An-an Food Industry Corp Importer: Forcode Industries Ltd Place of origin: Taiwan Net weight: 230 grams Best before: 7 March, 2012
Reason For Issuing Alert	The concerned product was found to contain a plasticizer, di-isononyl phthalate (DINP). Acute toxicity of DINP is low. Although it was found to affect the liver and kidney as well as the development of animals, usual consumption of the product is unlikely to cause any adverse health effects.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety	The CFS has instructed the importers to immediately stop selling and recall the affected product. The CFS will closely follow up the case, conduct checks at retail outlets and take samples of similar products for testing.
Advice to the Trade	Stop selling the affected product.
Advice to Consumers	Stop consuming the affected product.
Further Information	The CFS press release CFS Website: Plasticisers in food For enquiries about recall arrangements of the affected product, please call the hotline set up by the importer during office hours (Tel: 2410 8988).

Centre for Food Safety
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
2011-8-24