Malaysia to scrutinise biscuit maker Hup Seng Industries after cancer claim by Hong Kong watchdog

Hong Kong Consumer Council this week said that cancer-inducing elements were found in biscuits and crackers including those produced by the Malaysian firm

It also found that 40 per cent of the products analysed had misleading nutrition labels

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Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog said cancer-causing substances were found in samples of biscuits and crackers it tested. Photo: Facebook

Published: 1:51pm, 23 Oct 2021Updated: 8:58pm, 24 Oct 2021

Malaysia is looking into the findings by Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog that cancer-causing substances were detected in biscuits and crackers including those produced by Hup Seng Industries, according to a statement on Friday.

Hong Kong Consumer Council on Monday announced that the 60 samples of pre-packed biscuits and crackers it tested contained cancer-inducing elements such as glycidol or acrylamide. The council also found that 40 per cent of the products analysed had misleading nutrition labels.

“The factory premises of (Hup Seng) hold HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) and KKM (Malaysia’s health ministry) certificates,” Malaysia’s Food Safety and Quality Division said in a statement, citing an early investigation.

The division of the health ministry is also conducting a verification on the company’s premises, it said.

Earlier, the council also revealed that most of the analysed snacks – including crackers, sandwich biscuits and wafers – were high in fat, sugar or salt.

It said the full set of samples contained contaminants – glycidol or acrylamide, or both – which emerged during the processing of the biscuits at high temperatures. Animal testing indicates the genotoxic carcinogens may induce cancer, the council says.