Prepackaged bamboo fungi sample detected with sulphur dioxide, a preservative, exceeding legal limit and in breach of food labelling regulation
Product: Dried bamboo fungi, Prepackaged bamboo fungi, Prepackaged bamboo fungi sample detected with sulphur dioxide, a preservative, exceeding legal limit and in breach of food labelling regulation
Brand/company: (Not available in English)
- Product family
- Food & Grocery
- Product type
- Packaged food
- Issue
- Chemical contamination
- Audience
- General consumers
Reason: The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample of prepackaged bamboo fungi from an vendor for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained sulphur dioxide at a level of 9,600 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 500 ppm. The functional class and name of the additive were also not declared on the food label. Sulphur dioxide is a commonly used preservative in a variety of foods including dried vegetables, dried fruits, pickled vegetables and salted fish products. This preservative is water soluble, 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.
Consumer action: Not to consume the affected batch of the product.