CFS Issues Recall for Mung Bean Starch Sheets Due to Preservative Violations

CFS finds samples of mung bean starch sheet and its related product not in compliance with requirement on preservative

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (October 16) that samples of two batches of mung bean starch sheet and its related product were found not in compliance with the requirement of the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap. 132BD) (the Regulation). The CFS is following up on the incident.

Product details are as follows:

Product name: (Not available in English)

Weight: 500 grams

Manufacture dates: June 27, 2026; July 9, 2026

Place of origin: China

Sole distributor: Zhuang Ji Food Trade Company

A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS collected two samples of mung bean starch sheet and its related product sold and supplied by the above-mentioned sole distributor for testing. The test results showed that the two samples contained sodium dehydroacetate at a level of 69 and 61 parts per million respectively, not in compliance with the requirement of the Regulation. Prosecution will be instituted should there be sufficient evidence."

"The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the matter concerned, and instructed it to stop selling and remove from shelves the affected batches of the product concerned, and to initiate a recall. The trade should stop using or selling the affected batches of the product immediately if they possess any of them. Members of the public and the trade may call the distributor's hotline at 3706 5528 during office hours for enquiries about the recall of the affected batches of the product," the spokesman added.

According to the Regulation, sodium dehydroacetate is not allowed to be used in mung bean starch sheet. Any person who sells food not in compliance with the requirement on preservatives under the Regulation is liable upon conviction to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

The spokesman said that based on the level of sodium dehydroacetate detected in the two samples, risk assessment showed that adverse health effects are unlikely under usual consumption.

The CFS has informed the trade, and will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. The investigation is ongoing.

Source: AI-found images

Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and alternative smoking products

Three incoming passengers were sentenced to six to nine months' imprisonment by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (October 16) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes, failing to declare them to Customs officers, as well as importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).

Customs officers intercepted an incoming Mainland male passenger, aged 40, and two incoming Mainland female passengers, aged 42 and 38, at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (October 15) and seized 146 600 duty-not-paid cigarettes and 6 000 alternative smoking products, with an estimated market value of about $680,000 and a duty potential of about $480,000, from their personal baggage. The three passengers were subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, 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.

Under the IEO, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong 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).

Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and alternative smoking products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and alternative smoking products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases