CFS announces test results of targeted surveillance on nutrition labelling of prepackaged canned soup and instant soup pack
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (December 5) released the test results of a targeted food surveillance project on the nutrition labelling of prepackaged canned soup and instant soup pack. Among the 40 samples tested, including food items purchased online, three samples were found with sugars, protein or total fat content inconsistent with the declared values on their nutrition labels, while the remaining 37 samples passed the test.
"The CFS collected samples from different retail outlets for the targeted food surveillance project. Tests were conducted to check if the energy content and specified nutrient content (total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, sugars, sodium, protein, carbohydrates, and more) are consistent with the declared values on their nutrition labels. The food labels were also checked to see if they comply with relevant requirements under the laws," a spokesman for the CFS said.
The CFS had announced the irregularities in the actual nutrient content earlier. The vendors concerned have also stopped selling the relevant batches of the affected products. Prosecution will be instituted should there be sufficient evidence.
The Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap. 132W) require all applicable prepackaged foods to list the ingredients and the content of energy plus seven core nutrients, namely carbohydrates, protein, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, sodium and sugars, and regulate any associated nutrition claims.
Nutrition labelling can assist consumers in making informed food choices, encourage food manufacturers to apply sound nutrition principles in the formulation of foods, and regulate misleading or deceptive labels and claims. According to Section 61 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), if any person falsely describes food or misleads as to the nature, substance or quality of the food on a label of the food sold by him or her, he or she shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction.
The CFS will continue to conduct surveillance on other food samples to check if their energy content and specified nutrient content are consistent with the declared values on their nutrition labels, and the results will be released in due course. The spokesman reminded the food trade to comply with the law, and urged members of the public to pay attention to the information on nutrition labels when purchasing food to make informed food choices to achieve a balanced diet and stay healthy.
Source: AI-found images
CFS urges public not to consume two batches of cheese suspected to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (December 5) urged the public not to consume two batches of cheese imported from Italy due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The trade should stop using or selling the affected batches of the product immediately if they possess any of them.
Product details are as follows:
Product name: Raclette Sapin Vert 6.5kg
Batch numbers/use-by dates:
(1) 155121504/December 15, 2025; and
(2) 1551222/December 22, 2025
Importer: Bright View Trading Hong Kong Limited
"The CFS received a notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed of the European Commission that the above-mentioned batches of the product are being recalled due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately contacted local importers to follow up. A preliminary investigation found that the above-mentioned importer had imported into Hong Kong the affected batches of the product concerned," a spokesman for the CFS said.
The importer concerned has stopped sales and removed from shelves the affected batches of the product and has initiated a recall according to the CFS's instructions. Enquiries can be made to the importer's hotline at 3860 1906 during office hours.
"Listeria monocytogenes can be easily destroyed by cooking but can survive and multiply at refrigerator temperatures. Most healthy individuals do not develop symptoms or only have mild symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, headache, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea when infected. However, severe complications such as septicaemia, meningitis or even death may occur in newborns, the elderly and those with a weaker immune system. Although infected pregnant women may just experience mild symptoms generally, the infection of Listeria monocytogenes may cause miscarriage, infant death, preterm birth, or severe infection in newborns," the spokesman added.
"In order to reduce the risk of listeriosis, susceptible populations such as pregnant women should consume freshly prepared hot food where possible, reheat chilled food until it is hot all the way through, and avoid high-risk foods, including ready-to-eat food such as cold cuts, cold smoked seafood, soft cheeses, salads, etc, or cook them thoroughly before consumption, even if they are presented as part of a dish."
The spokesman advised members of the public to stop consuming the affected batches of the product and seek medical treatment if they feel unwell after consuming the product concerned.
The CFS has alerted the trade to the incident, and will continue to follow up and take appropriate action. The investigation is ongoing.
Source: AI-found images
