Society

HK sees satisfactory test results on Sudan dyes in eggs

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-11-03 17:10

HONG KONG -- A recent testing on the presence of forbidden chemical in food Sudan dyes in eggs and egg products sold in the city showed satisfactory results, the Center for Food Safety (CFS) of Hong Kong announced Wednesday.

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The CFS collected 200 samples of eggs and egg products including fried eggs, tea leaf chicken eggs, quail eggs, Western cakes, egg tarts, egg rolls, egg noodles, salad dressings, mayonnaise, and some other items from food factories, supermarkets, restaurants and bakeries in August and September for testing. All results were satisfactory.

A spokesman for the CFS said Sudan dyes are synthetic chemical dyes for industrial use and are non-permitted coloring matters in food. The maximum penalty on conviction is a fine of HK$50,000 (about US$6,450.78) and imprisonment for six months.

The spokesman called on the trade to source materials from reliable suppliers and to ensure that ingredients used do not contain any Sudan dyes. While the public should patronize reliable shops and avoid choosing eggs and egg products which are of an abnormally intense color. (1 US$ = 7.751 HKS$)