HONG KONG — The Centre for Food Safety (CFS), under the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, has issued an urgent recall on June 30 for five pre-packaged dried fruit items sold across the city, after laboratory tests revealed significant discrepancies between declared and actual nutritional content. One product showed protein levels nearly half of what was claimed, while sodium exceeded the label by over 80%.
The affected products, which include dried mango from the well-known brand “Lou Shang,” were sampled from online platforms and retail stores in Yau Tsim Mong and Kwun Tong districts. The CFS has ordered all retailers to immediately halt sales of the specific batches and warned that prosecution may follow.
What the Tests Uncovered
Inspectors collected five different pre-packaged dried fruit samples — mixed vegetable and fruit chips, natural blueberries, seedless green raisins, Thai mango slices, and banana chips with tamarind and passion fruit jam. Each sample was analyzed for compliance with the Nutrition Labelling Scheme under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance.
The most striking violation involved the banana chips, marketed under the brand JONETZ (origin: Thailand). Laboratory results found that per 100 grams, the product contained only 1.5 grams of protein — a staggering 48% less than the 2.9 grams stated on the label. Meanwhile, its sodium content measured 220 mg per 100g, 83% higher than the claimed 120 mg.
Other products with mislabelled values include:
- Mixed Vegetable & Fruit Chips (brand: Su Ma Ge, Vietnam) — Sodium actual: 86 mg/100g vs. labelled 49 mg/100g
- Natural Blueberries (brand: Jia Kang Bo, Canada) — Protein actual: 1.4g/100g vs. labelled 2.5g/100g (based on per 40g serving)
- Natural Seedless Green Raisins (packaged by Hong Kong Quan Chang Co., China) — Sodium actual: 36 mg/100g vs. labelled 11 mg/100g
- Thai Mango Slices (brand: Lou Shang, Thailand) — Protein actual: 1.3g/100g vs. labelled 2.1g/100g
All products have best-before dates ranging from September 2025 to June 2027, meaning consumers may still have them at home.
Legal Consequences for Mislabeling
Under Section 61 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, any person who sells food with a false label or misleads consumers about the nature, substance, or quality of the food commits an offence. Conviction carries a maximum fine of HK$50,000 and up to six months imprisonment.
A CFS spokesperson stated that if sufficient evidence is gathered, formal prosecution will be initiated against the respective distributors and importers. The agency has also notified the trade and will continue to monitor the market closely.
What This Means for Consumers
Misleading nutrition labels can have real health implications, particularly for individuals managing diabetes, hypertension, or dietary restrictions. For example, a shopper relying on the labelled sodium content to limit salt intake could unknowingly consume nearly double the expected amount from a single serving of these banana chips.
The CFS advises consumers who have purchased any of the affected products to stop eating them immediately and contact the retailer for refund or disposal. It also encourages shoppers to compare nutritional information from multiple sources and report any suspicious labels to the CFS hotline.
Broader Impact and Next Steps
This recall highlights an ongoing challenge in Hong Kong’s packaged food sector: ensuring that imported products — many from Southeast Asia, North America, and mainland China — meet local labelling standards. The CFS has ramped up random sampling in recent years, and this case serves as a reminder that even popular brands can fall short.
Moving forward, the agency plans to increase surveillance on dried fruit products and work with overseas authorities to tighten supply chain accountability. For consumers, the takeaway is clear: trust but verify. Checking nutrition facts against reliable databases or contacting manufacturers directly can help make informed choices.
For more food safety updates and in-depth product reviews, follow the Lolleroll Hong Kong food blog. If you have questions about this recall or other food labelling concerns, leave a comment below.