Four kinds of food from Taiwan suspected to contain non-permitted colouring matter, Dimethyl yellow

Issue Date 25.2.2015
Source of Information

The Taiwanese authorities
Food Product

Four kinds of food manufactured by Mia Chung Co., LTD in Taiwan
Product Name and Description

1. Product name: Mai Jien Bean Cake - Black Pepper Flavobags
Place of origin: Taiwan
Net Weight: 130 grams per pack

2. Product name: S.F. Vegetarian Mushroom & Fried Minced Pork
Place of origin: Taiwan
Net Weight: 390 grams per bottle

3. Product name: S.F. Vegetarian Mushroom with Dried Turnip
Place of origin: Taiwan
Net Weight: 390 grams per bottle

4. Product name: S.F. Vegetarian Mushroom & Bamboo Shoot Paste
Place of origin: Taiwan
Net Weight: 390 grams per bottle / can

(Remarks: Products regardless of batches)
Reason For Issuing Alert

In response to the CFS' earlier detection of Dimethyl yellow in a dried bean curd sample originating from Taiwan, the Taiwanese authorities have been conducting follow-up investigations. The authorities informed the CFS last month that certain batches of 12 kinds of bean curd and a kind of preserved bean curd containing the colouring matter in question had been exported to Hong Kong. Another notification from the Taiwanese authorities was received today that the four kinds of food mentioned above were also found to contain Dimethyl yellow and had been exported to Hong Kong.

Although there have been research results showing that Dimethyl yellow might cause cancer in experimental animals, no sufficient evidence has been found to confirm the health effects on humans from dietary intake of this colouring matter. However, for the sake of prudence, retailers should stop selling the affected products and return them to the supplier/importer concerned. Consumers should also avoid consuming the affected products.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety

The CFS immediately contacted the importers, Teamon Products Limited and Coils Electronic Co., Limited, and instructed the companies to stop selling and conduct a recall of the affected products.

The CFS will also alert the trade to the incident and suspend the import of the above-mentioned products.

The CFS will continue to closely monitor the situation and the recall. Appropriate actions will be taken.
Advice to the Trade

Stop selling the affected products and return them to the supplier/importer concerned.
Advice to Consumers

Avoid consuming the affected products.
Further Information

The CFS press release

Centre for Food Safety
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
2015-2-25

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