The Centre for Food Safety (CFS)

Prepackaged Pepper sauce

Product name of pepper sauce: PEPPER SAUCE

Brand: TABASCO

Place of origin: The United States

Volume: 150 millilitres

Best-before date: August 30, 2028

Distributor: Sims Trading Co., Ltd.

• The CFS collected the above-mentioned pepper sauce sample from a retail outlet in Wan Chai for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme.
• Although the level of sulphur dioxide found to be contained in the pepper sauce sample is below the statutory maximum permitted level, the functional class and the name of the additive were not declared on the food label of the sample.
• Sulphur dioxide is a preservative which can be used 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 has informed the vendor, importer and distributor concerned of the irregularities and instructed them to stop sales and remove from shelves the affected batch of the product. The importer and distributor concerned have initiated a recall according to the CFS's instructions.
• The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.

• Stop using or selling the affected batch of the product without proper food label immediately.

• Consumers who are allergic to sulphur dioxide should not consume the concerned product. They should seek medical treatment if they feel unwell after consuming it.

The CFS press release

Members of the public may call the importer's hotline at 2262 1559 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.