Hong Kong to review safety limit for cancer-causing chemical in mooncakes
Concerns raised as Hong Kong has a higher permissible level of aflatoxin in food than Macau, where mooncakes were recently recalled for exceeding safe limits
The health minister has said the safety limit for a carcinogenic chemical found in mooncakes will be reviewed.
Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man was responding questions why the city had adopted a higher permitted level of aflatoxins in food than Macau, whose health authorities had banned mooncakes from Hong Kong-based Hang Heung Bakery for excessive levels of the carcinogenic substance.
Macau authorities said on Friday that testing showed a mooncake sample from Hang Heung exceeded the permitted level of aflatoxin B1.
The aflatoxin B1 level from the sample was 7.48 micrograms. Macau regulations stipulate the substance should not exceed 5mcg for every kilogram of food, while according to the Harmful Substances in Food Regulations in Hong Kong, the maximum permitted concentration of aflatoxin in any food other than peanuts or peanut products is 15mcg per kilo.
