Society

HK's moon cakes pass food-safety tests

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-09-13 23:32

HONG KONG - A total of 250 moon cake samples have passed chemical and microbiological tests by the Center for Food Safety of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region government , the center said Monday in a statement.

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Traditional, snowy, ice-cream and other types of moon cakes were recently collected from various retailers and food factories, it said.

The chemical tests checked for colorings, preservatives, antioxidants, pesticides, heavy metals, aflatoxins and mineral oil. The microbiological tests covered total bacterial count, coliform organisms and pathogens.

Despite the satisfactory results of all samples, snowy and ice- cream moon cakes, which do not undergo a baking process, must be handled hygienically during processing, transportation and storage to avoid contamination and growth of food poisoning germs, the center said.

Moon cakes are Chinese pastries traditionally eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival, or Zhongqiu, Festival. The festival is for lunar worship and moon watching and moon cakes are regarded as an indispensable delicacy on this occasion.

Moon cakes are offered between friends or on family gatherings while celebrating the festival. The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the four most important Chinese festivals.