Hong Kong, May 2025 – A comprehensive test conducted by the Hong Kong Consumer Council (HKCC) has delivered a stark warning to snack lovers: nearly every sample of dried meat, meat floss, and crispy meat jerky collected from supermarkets and department stores across the city falls into the “high sugar” category, with 29 out of 30 also classified as high in sodium. The findings, published in the latest issue of Choice Magazine, challenge the common perception that these protein-rich treats are a healthy snack option.
Between October and November 2022, the HKCC gathered 30 samples encompassing 10 varieties of pork jerky, 8 beef jerky options, 8 pork floss products, and 4 crispy pork jerky items, also known as “meat paper.” Laboratory analysis focused on nutritional composition, revealing a troubling nutritional profile across the board.
Alarming Sugar Levels Across All Samples
Every single sample exceeded the Centre for Food Safety’s reference level for high-sugar solid foods, which is defined as containing more than 15 grams of sugar per 100 grams. The tested products registered sugar content ranging from 18.3 grams to a staggering 47.2 grams per 100 grams.
The worst offender was the Soke Kun Jing Thai Crispy Pork Jerky, priced at HK$58.2 per 100 grams. According to the Consumer Council, a single 20-gram serving—roughly one portion—contains 9.4 grams of sugar, equivalent to approximately 1.9 sugar cubes. This represents 19% of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended daily limit for free sugar intake. Consuming the entire 67-gram package would deliver 31.6 grams of sugar, or about 6.3 sugar cubes, reaching 63% of the WHO’s daily ceiling.
The WHO advises that free sugar should account for no more than 10% of total daily energy intake. For an adult consuming 2,000 kilocalories per day, this translates to fewer than 50 grams—roughly 10 sugar cubes—with a strong recommendation to further reduce this to below 5%.
Sodium: A Silent Health Threat
Beyond sugar, the sodium content poses significant health risks. Twenty-nine of the 30 samples—representing 97% of those tested—qualified as high-sodium foods, containing between 715 mg and 1,900 mg of sodium per 100 grams. The only exception was Mom’s Kitchen Baby Pork Floss (Original), priced at HK$57.1 per 100 grams.
Topping the sodium charts was Kee Kee Shun Crispy Pork, retailing at HK$77.2 per 100 grams. The Consumer Council warned that consuming just 100 grams of this product would supply 95% of the WHO’s recommended daily sodium intake of 2,000 mg—equivalent to about 5 grams of salt, or slightly less than one level teaspoon. When combined with sodium from regular meals, exceeding the daily limit becomes almost unavoidable.
The Centre for Food Safety classifies any solid food containing over 600 mg of sodium per 100 grams as high-sodium.
Fat Content: Two Products Flagged
While most samples fared better on fat content, two pork floss products were identified as high-fat. Both Mom’s Kitchen Baby Pork Floss (Original) and HSin Tung Yang Premium Pork Floss (HK$40.4 per 100 grams) contained 21 grams of fat per 100 grams, meeting the threshold for high-fat classification set at over 20 grams per 100 grams.
A 13-gram serving of the Mom’s Kitchen product delivers 2.7 grams of fat, while a 20.8-gram serving of the HSin Tung Yang variety provides 4.4 grams. These account for 4% and 6.6%, respectively, of the WHO’s recommended total fat intake—less than 30% of daily energy, or about 66.7 grams for a 2,000-kilocalorie diet.
Protein: The Deceptive Appeal
On the surface, the results appear favorable for protein content. All samples qualified as high-protein foods, with values ranging from 21.3 grams to 49.2 grams per 100 grams. The highest protein content was found in Mountain Handmade Charcoal Grilled Pork Jerky at HK$24.0 per 100 grams.
However, the Consumer Council issued a crucial caution: consumers should not rely on these products as a primary protein source. The accompanying high sugar and sodium levels undermine any potential nutritional benefit, making regular consumption inadvisable.
Expert Insights and Health Implications
Dr. Karen Lee, a registered dietitian consulted for the report, emphasized that these snacks are best treated as occasional indulgences rather than everyday staples. “The combination of high sugar and high sodium is particularly concerning,” she explained. “Many people reach for jerky or floss thinking they’re making a smart, high-protein choice. In reality, they’re consuming empty calories that can contribute to hypertension, weight gain, and metabolic issues over time.”
The HKCC urged the public to read nutrition labels carefully and to be mindful of portion sizes. Even products marketed as “natural” or “baby-specific” were not exempt from the findings.
Top-Rated Products: A Mixed Picture
Despite the overall grim assessment, ten products earned a 4.5-star overall rating in the council’s evaluation. These included:
- Kam On Kei Honey Pork Jerky (HK$28)
- Field Trip Original All Natural Beef Jerky (HK$96.8)
- Ueda Black Pepper Beef Jerky (HK$40)
- Mom’s Kitchen Baby Pork Floss – Original (HK$57.1)
- Bee Cheng Hiang Fragrant Pork Floss (HK$60)
- Mei Yee Pork Floss (HK$38.3)
- Kwong Leung Hing Pork Floss (HK$13.7)
- HSin Tung Yang Premium Pork Floss (HK$40.4)
- Peak Brand Pork Paper (HK$42.9)
- Soke Kun Jing Thai Crispy Pork Jerky (HK$58.2)
It is important to note that these ratings reflect overall product quality, not nutritional healthiness.
Looking Ahead: What Consumers Can Do
The HKCC recommends that consumers treat dried meat products as occasional snacks rather than regular dietary components. Those seeking protein-rich alternatives would be better served by unsalted nuts, Greek yogurt, or lean cooked meats.
For the full report, readers are directed to issue 557 of Choice Magazine, available through the Consumer Council’s website. As Hong Kong continues to grapple with rising rates of diet-related diseases, this study serves as a timely reminder that convenient snacks often come with hidden costs to health.