Lede
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS), a division of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, issued an urgent recall on June 30, 2025, ordering the immediate suspension of five pre-packaged dried fruit products after laboratory tests revealed significant discrepancies between listed and actual nutritional values. Among the affected items is a popular Thai mango dried fruit sold by the well-known chain LeShang, with one sample showing protein levels 48% lower than advertised and sodium content 83% higher. The CFS warned that retailers continuing to sell the implicated batches could face prosecution under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance.
What Happened and Why
The CFS collected samples from online retail platforms and brick-and-mortar stores in the Yau Tsim Mong and Kwun Tong districts. Inspectors tested five categories of pre-packaged dried fruit — mixed vegetable and fruit chips, dried blueberries, seedless green raisins, Thai mango, and banana slices with tamarind and passion fruit jam. All five failed to meet the mandatory nutrition labelling requirements set under Cap. 132 of Hong Kong law.
The violations centred on two key nutrients: protein and sodium. In the most egregious case, a pre-packaged banana chip product (brand: JONETZ) claimed to contain 2.9g of protein per 100g, but testing found only 1.5g — a shortfall of 48%. Its sodium content was measured at 220mg per 100g, while the label stated 120mg, an overage of 83%. Similar inconsistencies were found in the other four items, though the magnitude varied.
Affected Products at a Glance
| Product Name | Brand | Key Violation | Measured vs. Declared |
|————–|——-|—————|————————|
| Mixed Vegetable & Fruit Dried | 素瑪哥 (SomaGo) | Sodium | 86mg vs. 49mg per 100g |
| Natural Dried Blueberries | 加康柏 (Canberry) | Protein | 1.4g vs. 2.5g per 100g |
| Natural Seedless Green Raisins | Hong Kong Chuen Co. | Sodium | 36mg vs. 11mg per 100g |
| Thai Mango Dried | LeShang (樓上) | Protein | 1.3g vs. 2.1g per 100g |
| Banana Chips with Tamarind & Passion Fruit Jam | JONETZ | Protein & Sodium | 1.5g vs. 2.9g protein; 220mg vs. 120mg sodium |
All products had best-before dates ranging from September 2026 to June 2027, meaning affected batches could still be on shelves.
Legal Consequences and Industry Impact
Under Section 61 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, any person who labels food falsely or misleads consumers regarding its nature, substance, or quality commits an offence. Conviction carries a maximum penalty of HK$50,000 and six months’ imprisonment. The CFS stated it will initiate prosecution if sufficient evidence is gathered.
Beyond legal liability, the recall undermines consumer trust in pre-packaged dried fruits — a category many Hongkongers consider a healthy snack. Dietitians caution that inaccurate sodium labels pose particular risks for individuals managing hypertension or kidney conditions, while overstated protein labels can mislead those tracking macronutrient intake for fitness or medical reasons.
What Consumers Should Do Now
The CFS advises consumers who have purchased any of the five products listed above to:
- Check the best-before date and batch details on the packaging.
- Stop consuming the implicated items immediately.
- Return the products to the point of purchase for a refund or contact the respective distributors: King Fung Food Trading (SomaGo), Joinluck Corporation (Canberry), Hong Kong Chuen Co. (raisins), Kiu Yeung Land Products (LeShang), and Sweet Bee Farm (JONETZ).
For a complete list of affected batches and official notices, visit the CFS website at www.cfs.gov.hk.
Looking Ahead
This incident highlights the ongoing challenge of enforcing accurate nutrition labelling in Hong Kong’s busy food import and retail sector. The CFS has pledged to step up surveillance and notify trade associations. Consumers are encouraged to report suspicious labelling to the CFS hotline.
For readers interested in food safety, our previous coverage on the Consumer Council’s butter test — which revealed lead contamination risks — and expert advice on heart-healthy winter foods offer further practical insights.