The Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) said in a statement yesterday that during its regular testing of comestibles its inspectors confirmed that a sample of dried whelks sold in bulk in Macau contains an excessive amount of preservatives.

The statement said that the sample of the product was being sold at “Luen Fat Hong” shop on Rua da Praia do Manduco.

The statement also noted that each kilogramme of the product was found to contain 1,740 milligrammes of preservatives, which exceeds Macau’s food safety regulation.

The statement said the product was imported from Hong Kong, and that the bureau’s Food Safety Department has already reported the case to its counterpart in Hong Kong to follow up.

The bureau also urged residents not to consume the product and has told the shop concerned to remove the product from their shelves.

The statement said that the bureau would follow up on the matter in order to protect consumers’ safety.

The statement underlined that the preservative used in the product is called sulphur dioxide*, which is commonly used in dried food products, adding that under normal circumstances, consuming it would not affect one’s health. The bureau urged residents to have a well-balanced and diverse diet.

Moreover, the statement also reminded local importers to keep delivery records so that the local authorities can trace the sources and movements of the respective food products if necessary. 

*Sulphur dioxide is widely used in the food and drinks industries for its properties as a preservative and antioxidant. Whilst harmless to healthy people when used in recommended concentrations, it can induce asthma when inhaled or ingested by sufferers, even in high dilution.

This undated handout photo provided by the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) yesterday shows the dried whelks sold in bulk in Macau that was found to contain an excessive amount of preservatives.