CFS finds trace amount of formaldehyde in prepackaged rice vermicelli sample
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (August 29) announced that a prepackaged rice vermicelli sample imported from Taiwan was found to contain trace amount of formaldehyde. The CFS is following up on the incident, and urges the public not to consume the affected batch of the product concerned. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected product if they possess it.
The Centre for Food Safety, Photo source: reference image
Product details are as follows:
Product name: Hsin Tung Yang Rice Noodles
Brand: Hsin Tung Yang
Place of origin: Taiwan
Distributor: B&S Company
Net weight: 300 grams
Best-before date: April 10, 2029
A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from an online vendor for testing under its Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained formaldehyde at a level of 12 parts per million."
The spokesman added, "The CFS has informed the vendor and the distributor concerned of the irregularity, and instructed the distributor concerned to immediately stop sales, remove from shelves, and initiate a recall of the affected batch of the product. Members of the public may call the distributor's hotline at 3628 7800 during office hours for enquiries about the recall. Furthermore, the CFS' follow-up investigation found that the distributor concerned stored about 450 cartons of the affected batch of the product in its warehouse. The CFS has immediately marked and sealed the products concerned."
The CFS has also enhanced formaldehyde testing at the import and retail levels, and has recently collected over 70 food samples, including Chinese white cabbages, vegetables and rice vermicelli, for testing of formaldehyde content. Except for the rice vermicelli sample detected with formaldehyde, no other unsatisfactory testing results have been found so far. Follow-up action is ongoing.
In addition, the CFS has taken over 175 rice vermicelli samples from January 2023 to July 2026 for various tests (including formaldehyde test), and all samples passed the tests.
Although the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified formaldehyde as Group 1 carcinogen, it is limited to exposure via inhalation. According to the recently published information by the World Health Organization, exposure to formaldehyde via the oral route is not carcinogenic.
The spokesman said, "Based on the level of formaldehyde detected in the sample, it is unlikely to pose any adverse health effect upon normal consumption. However, under existing legislation in Hong Kong, formaldehyde is not permitted for use as a food preservative. Contravention of the law could lead to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment."
The CFS advises members of the public to patronise reliable restaurants and food retailers. As formaldehyde is water-soluble and highly volatile, washing and cooking food ingredients thoroughly before consumption can reduce the relevant risk. The trade should be cautious about the origins from which the food products are sourced, and should only obtain them from reliable sources.
The CFS has alerted the trade, and will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. The investigation is ongoing.
Hsin Tung Yang Rice Noodles
