Bottled chilli paste sample in breach of food labelling regulation

Issue Date 30.10.2020
Source of Information

Routine Surveillance Programme

Food Product

A sample of bottled chilli paste manufactured in Singapore

Product Name and Description

Product name: Sambal Belachan Chilli Paste

Brand: Kwong Cheong Thye

Place of origin: Singapore

Distributor: Tropical Trading Company

Net weight: 230g per bottle

Best before date: November 27, 2021

Reason For Issuing Alert
  • The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) collected the abovementioned sample from a supermarket in Causeway Bay for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained fish, but it was not declared on the food label.
  • Fish is a known food allergen. Those who are allergic to it may develop symptoms like shortness of breath, skin itchiness and rash upon consumption. In severe cases anaphylactic shock may even develop.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety
  • The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected batch of the product. The distributor concerned has initiated a voluntary recall on the affected batch of the product.
  • The CFS has alerted the trade and will continue to follow up on the case and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health. Investigation is ongoing.
Advice to the Trade
  • Stop using or selling the affected products immediately if they possess them.
Advice to Consumers
  • Consumers who are allergic to fish to stop consuming the product concerned. People should seek medical treatment if they feel unwell after consuming it.
Further Information

The CFS press release

For enquiries about the recall, members of the public may call the distributor's hotline at 2366 8606.

 

Centre for Food Safety
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
2020-10-30

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