Imported soya lecithin product may contain allergen (peanuts)
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     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (November 10) said that a kind of imported soya lecithin product may contain an allergen, peanuts, but it was not declared on the product’s label. Consumers who are allergic to peanuts are advised not to consume the product concerned. The trade should also stop selling the affected product immediately.
     Product details are as follows:
Product name: Mega Soya Lecithin 1325 mg
Brand: Holland & Barrett
Place of origin: United Kingdom
Name of Importer: A.S Watson Retail (HK) Limited
Batch: All batches
     A spokesman for the CFS said, “The CFS received intelligence that ingredients used in the production of the above-mentioned product may contain an allergen, peanuts, but it was not declared on the product’s label. The CFS immediately contacted the above-mentioned local importer for follow-up. The importer had stopped sales and removed from shelves the affected product. It has also initiated a recall. Members of the public may call the relevant importer’s hotline at 2608 8383 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.
     “Peanuts are a known food allergen. Those who are allergic to it may develop symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, asthma and rash upon consumption. In severe cases anaphylactic shock may even develop. As for other members of the public, generally speaking, they would not be subject to such reactions when the food in question is consumed,” the spokesman added.
     The spokesman urged consumers who are allergic to peanuts not to consume the product concerned. Those who feel unwell after consuming it should seek medical treatment.
     The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action as and when necessary. An investigation is ongoing.
