More than 1 in 4 soy sauce samples found with substance that can cause cancer, Hong Kong watchdog warns

A substance that is thought to cause cancer if consumed in large amounts has been found in 11 of 40 soy sauce samples taken by the Hong Kong Consumer Council, it said in its latest monthly report on Monday.

Soy sauces and seasonings are common condiments in Chinese dishes, but more than one in four samples tested by the council were found to contain chemical compound “4-methylimidazole”, including those from popular brands such as Yu Pin King and Tung Chun.

The chemical was identified as a possible human carcinogen by the World Health Organisation, however experts claim that the chances of it causing the disease in humans are very low.

“Hongkongers consume soy sauce almost every day,” said Consumer Council Chief Executive Gilly Wong Fung-han, urging the Centre for Food Safety to look into the matter and regulate the amount of 4-methylimidazole allowed in food, taking reference from other countries.

Currently, there is no standard for the safety and quality of soy sauces and seasonings in Hong Kong, but, for example, California law requires that businesses put a warning on product packaging against consuming more than 29 micrograms of 4-methylimidazole per day, the council said.