The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department on November 25 said that several kinds of paste imported from Singapore may contain an allergen, fish, but it was not declared on the products' food label. A CFS spokesman said consumers who are allergic to fish are advised not to consume the products concerned. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected products immediately should they possess them.

Details of the products are as follows:

Product name: Sambal Belachan Chilli Paste
Brand: Kwong Cheong Thye
Place of origin: Singapore
importer: Tropical Trading Company
Net weight: 230 grams
Best-before dates: September 5, 2021, and November 8, 2021

Product name: Crispy Chilli
Brand: Kwong Cheong Thye
Place of origin: Singapore
importer: Tropical Trading Company
Net weight: 230g
Best-before dates: May 16, 2021, December 11, 2021, and December 29, 2021

Product name: Chili Crab Sauce
Brand: Kwong Cheong Thye
Place of origin: Singapore
importer: Tropical Trading Company
Net weight: 300g
Best-before dates: all dates

Product name: Laksa Paste
Brand: Kwong Cheong Thye
Place of origin: Singapore
importer: Tropical Trading Company
Net weight: 200g and 1 kilogram
Best-before dates: July 23, 2021 (for 200g), July 3, 2021, and September 10, 2021 (for 1kg)

A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS, through its Food Incident Surveillance System, noted a notice issued by the Singapore Food Agency that the abovementioned products are being recalled as the products may contain fish but it is not declared on the products' food label. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately contacted local major importers and retailers for follow-up."

A preliminary investigation found that an importer, Tropical Trading Company, had imported some of the affected products into Hong Kong. The CFS immediately contacted the importer concerned for follow-up. The importer has initiated a recall according to the CFS' instructions. Enquiries about the recall can be made to the hotline at 2366 8606 during office hours.

"Fish is a known food allergen. Those who are allergic to it may develop symptoms like shortness of breath, skin itchiness and rash upon consumption. In severe cases anaphylactic shock may even develop."

The spokesman advised consumers who are allergic to fish to stop consuming the products concerned. People should seek medical treatment if they feel unwell after consuming them.

The Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap. 132W) require that all prepackaged food for sale in Hong Kong should list out the food ingredients in its list of ingredients. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.

The CFS will alert the trade to the incident and will continue to follow up and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.

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