Hong Kong has banned two imported sports drinks contaminated by cancer-causing chemical DEHP from Taiwan.
DEHP levels found in Speed Sports Drink, Speed Sports Drink (Lemon Flavour) and also Brand's Calcium Grow Chewable Tablets exceeded the World Health Organisation safety levels by up to 17 times.
Hong Kong health officials have banned the two drinks from sale. Chicken essence maker Brand's began a voluntary recall of the tainted tablets last Friday. DEHP is used as a cheap substitute for vegetable oil to produce clouding agents that give drinks a more appealing flavour.
But it can affect the liver, kidneys and reproductive system and can harm hormone balance in young people.
Children that consume 350ml of tainted fluid containing 12 parts per million (ppm) of DEHP on a daily basis for a year are six to eight times more at risk of developing problems with their reproductive system as adults, research has found.
DEHP levels in the two sports drinks were 11 to 43 ppm, and 40 ppm in the tablets.
