Ethylene oxide found in samples of prepackaged spice mix products
| Issue Date | 5.4.2024 |
|---|---|
| Source of Information | The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) |
| Food Product | Prepackaged spice mix products |
| Product Name and Description | Product name: Madras Curry Powder (Spice blend for Madras Curry) Brand: MDH Place of manufacture: India Net weight: 100 grams Best-before date: End-August 2024 Distributor: Dhillon Group of Companies Limited Hotline: 9518 1250
Product name: Fish Curry Masala Brand: Everest Place of manufacture: India Net weight: 1.75oz (50 grams) Best-before date: September 2025 Importer and distributor: MPS FOODS (HK) LTD Hotline: 3591 1541
Product name: Sambhar Masala Mixed Masala Powder Brand: MDH Place of manufacture: India Net weight: 100 grams Use by date : November 2024 Importer: AGAM Trading Co. Hotline: 9121 7676 or 9222 4131
Product name: Curry Powder Mixed Masala Powder Brand: MDH Place of manufacture: India Net weight: 100 grams Use by date: November 2024 Importer: AGAM Trading Co. Hotline: 9121 7676 or 9222 4131 |
| Reason For Issuing Alert | - The CFS collected the above-mentioned samples from three retail outlets in Tsim Sha Tsui respectively for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test results showed that the samples contained a pesticide, ethylene oxide. - The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified ethylene oxide as a Group 1 carcinogen. According to the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap. 132CM), a food for human consumption containing pesticide residue may only be sold if consumption of the food is not dangerous or prejudicial to health. |
| Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety | - The CFS has informed the vendors concerned of the irregularities and instructed them to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected products. According to the CFS's instructions, the distributors/importers concerned have initiated recalls on the affected products. - The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incidents and take appropriate action. Investigations are ongoing. |
| Advice to the Trade | Stop using or selling the affected products immediately if possess any of them |
| Advice to Consumers | Should not consume the affected products |
| Further Information |
Members of the public may call the respective hotlines above during office hours for enquiries about the recalls of the products concerned. Photos for reference only
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Centre for Food Safety
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
2024-4-5