The Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) announced in a statement on Friday that it has found excessive levels of sulphur dioxide (SO2) in a bulk noodle sample from a local food-processing facility during a routine food safety inspection.
The statement identified the problematic product as “Hak San Fried Noodles”(黑散炒麵), produced by “Fábrica de Massas Alimentícias Kuok Kei” at Fábrica Veng Kin Building on Praceta de Venceslau de Morais (慕拉士前地).
The statement pointed out that the sample was found to contain 30.3 milligrams of SO2 per kilogram, exceeding the limit set under local food regulations. Based on the detected levels, normal consumption of the problematic product is unlikely to pose a health risk to the public.
SO2, is permitted in foods such as flour and noodles, and it is water-soluble, and a portion can be removed through washing and cooking. However, the substance may trigger adverse reactions, including asthma, headaches, nausea, or vomiting in individuals with asthma or allergies, according to the statement.
The statement noted that the bureau promptly intervened, ordering retailers to remove the problematic products from shelves and cease supplying and selling them. Besides, the manufacturer must rectify its production processes until they meet safety and hygiene standards and pass follow-up inspections. The bureau will continue to monitor and investigate the case, according to the statement.
The bureau reminded consumers to maintain a balanced diet to avoid excessive intake of any single substance due to dietary imbalances, the statement added.
South Korean “Yopokki” brand cup rice cakes recall
Meanwhile, the bureau has been informed by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) about a recall of various flavours of South Korean “Yopokki” brand cup rice cakes and rapokki (rice cake with ramen) products, due to potential risks of spoilage, according to a separate IAM statement on Thursday.
The problematic products involved are the Yopokki Ricecake Cup Cheese flavour, Yopokki Ricecake Cup Sweet & Spicy flavour, Yopokki Ricecake Cup Jjajang, Yopokki Ricecake Cup Red Bean, Yopokki Ricecake Cup Kimchi flavour, Yopokki Ricecake Cup Carbonara flavour, KR Yopokki Ricecake & Ramen Cup Kimchi flavour, KR Yopokki Ricecake & Ramen Cup Hot and Spicy flavour, KR Yopokki Ricecake & Ramen Cup Sweet and Spicy flavour, KR Yopokki Ricecake & Ramen Cup Curry flavour, the statement said.
The bureau said it will continue to monitor and investigate the case.
For more information about the affected products, please call 2833 8181.
This undated handout photo provided by Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) on Thursday shows the various flavours of South Korean “Yopokki” brand cup rice cakes and “rapokki” (rice cake with ramen) products being recalled due to potential risks of spoilage.
This undated handout photo provided by Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) on Friday shows the “Hak San Fried Noodles” product that was found to contain an excessive amount of sulphur dioxide (SO2).
