Fresh beef sample found to contain sulphur dioxide
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (August 5) that a fresh beef sample was found to contain sulphur dioxide, a preservative which is not permitted to be used in fresh meat. The CFS is following up on the incident.
The Centre for Food Safety, Photo source: reference image
A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS, under its routine Food Surveillance Programme, took the fresh beef sample from a market stall in Tai Kiu Market, Yuen Long, for testing. The test result showed that the sample contained sulphur dioxide at a level of 785 parts per million. The CFS is following up with the market stall concerned about the irregularity."
According to the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap. 132BD) (the Regulation), it is an offence to add sulphur dioxide to fresh or chilled meat. The maximum penalty is a $50,000 fine and six months' imprisonment.
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, but under the Regulation it is not permitted in fresh or chilled meat. Individual meat traders have been found illegally using sulphur dioxide to make meat look fresher. 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 spokesman reminded the food trade to comply with the law and not to sell fresh or chilled meat adulterated with sulphur dioxide. Members of the public should purchase meat from reliable market stalls or fresh provision shops. They should avoid buying or consuming meat which is unnaturally red, and maintain a balanced diet to avoid malnutrition or excessive exposure to chemicals from a small range of food items.
The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. The investigation is ongoing.
CFS Detects Sulphur Dioxide in Fresh Beef Sample, Photo source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two large-scale sea smuggling cases and seizes suspected illicit cigarettes worth about $37 million
Hong Kong Customs recently mounted enforcement operations to combat large-scale illicit cigarette smuggling activities by sea. From August 2 to 3, Customs detected two cases through intelligence exchanges, risk assessments and intelligence analyses. A total of about 8.12 million suspected illicit cigarettes with a total estimated market value of about $37 million and a duty potential of about $27 million were seized.
In the first case, Customs officers intercepted a 40-foot container, declared as carrying an enclosed lifeboat and a rescue boat, and arriving from Singapore for inspection on August 2 at the Kwai Chung Container Terminal. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized about 5.34 million suspected illicit cigarettes from the container. A 51-year-old local man connected with the case was arrested. Customs officers subsequently conducted a controlled delivery operation and further arrested a 68-year-old local man connected with the case.
In the second case, Customs officers intercepted a 40-foot container, declared as carrying toothpaste, skincare products and other goods, and arriving from Incheon, Korea, for inspection on August 3 at the same container terminal. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized about 2.78 million suspected illicit cigarettes from the container. A 42-year-old local man connected with the case was arrested.
The operations displayed Customs' enforcement effectiveness in intercepting cross-border illicit cigarettes at the source through co-operation with law enforcement agencies in the region. The department will continue to foster collaboration and strengthen intelligence exchanges between regional partners in law enforcement, and vigorously combat cross-border illicit cigarette activities.
Customs stresses that smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60), any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years. Moreover, under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs detects two large-scale sea smuggling cases and seizes suspected illicit cigarettes worth about $37 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two large-scale sea smuggling cases and seizes suspected illicit cigarettes worth about $37 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
