The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) - routine Food Surveillance Programme

Prepackaged dried conch

Product name: 美國原隻響螺 (Not available in English)

Brand: 南北行 (Not available in English)

Net weight: 225 g

Place of origin: United States

Distributor: 南北行參茸葯材有限公司 (Not available in English)

Best-before date: 20 December, 2023

The CFS collected the dried conch sample from a supermarket in Wong Tai Sin for testing. The test result showed that the sample contained sulphur dioxide at a level of 249 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 30 ppm. The functional class and name of the additive were also not declared on the food label.

Sulphur dioxide is a commonly used preservative in a variety of foods including dried vegetables, dried fruits, pickled vegetables and salted fish products. Sulphur dioxide is water soluble, and most of it can be removed through washing and cooking. However, susceptible individuals who are allergic to this preservative may experience breathing difficulties, headaches and nausea after consumption.

The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.

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. According to the CFS's instructions, the vendor concerned has initiated a recall on the affected batch of the product.

The trade should stop using or selling the affected batch of products immediately if they possess it.

Do not consume the affected products.

The CFS press release

Members of the public may call the hotline of the distributor, 南北行參茸葯材有限公司(Not available in English), at 2742 9811 during office hours for enquiries about the recall of the product concerned.

(Images for reference only.)