A batch of raisins detected with excessive preservative
| Issue Date | 17.4.2015 |
|---|---|
| Source of Information | Centre for Food Safety (CFS) |
| Food Product | Prepacked raisins |
| Product Name and Description | Product name: Raisins Golden Jumbo |
| Reason For Issuing Alert | Upon receipt of a notification from the Macau authorities that a sample of raisins imported from Hong Kong was found to contain excessive sulphur dioxide, the CFS immediately contacted the Hong Kong exporter in question, The Natural Tea Company (HK) Limited. According to the information provided by the company, there was no remaining stock of the affected batch of the product, which was imported from the United States by another company. During its follow up investigation, the CFS took a sample of the product from a different batch from a supermarket in Tuen Mun for testing. The test result showed that the sample contained sulphur dioxide at a level of 2,900 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 1 500 ppm. Sulphur dioxide is a commonly used preservative in a variety of foods including dried fruits, pickled vegetables and meat products. Occasional consumption of the abovementioned raisins with this level of sulphur dioxide is unlikely to pose any adverse health effect to consumers. However, for individuals who are allergic to this preservative, there may be symptoms of breathing difficulty, headache and nausea. |
| Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety | The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the test result and instructed it to stop selling the affected batch of the product. The Centre has also contacted the importer and packer/distributor concerned to trace the distribution of the food item in question and instruct them to recall the affected batch of the product. According to the information provided by the packer/distributor, its recall is completed. |
| Advice to the Trade | The trade should stop using or selling the product concerned immediately. |
| Advice to Consumers | If consumers have bought and still possess the affected batch of the product, they should stop eating it. They are advised to seek medical advice if they feel sick upon consumption. |
| Further Information |
Centre for Food Safety
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
2015-4-17