September 30, 2010

Hong Kong finds sulphur dioxide-tainted meat

Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety Wednesday (Sep 29) said nine meat samples were found with sulphur dioxide, a preservative forbidden in fresh, chilled or frozen meat.

Pork, beef and mutton samples were collected for tests in July and August from local fresh provision shops and meat stalls. Nine fresh beef samples contained sulphur dioxide.

The centre has issued warning letters to the shop operators concerned and collected follow-up samples which passed tests.

Some traders use sulphur dioxide to make meat look fresher. However, people who are allergic to the preservative can fall ill from it. It is soluble in water and most of it can be removed through washing and cooking, according to a spokesman for the centre.

The centre warned consumers to buy meat from reliable market stalls or fresh provision shops and avoid buying or consuming meat which is unnaturally red.