High levels of 3-MCPD in certain batches of soy sauce

Wednesday 21 August 2002

Category B: 'For Action'

Heads of Environmental Health Services and Directors of Trading Standards will wish to be aware of the results of a survey by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) of 3-MCPD in soy sauce used in catering outlets. Significantly fewer samples containing high levels of the chemical 3-monochloropropane 1,2-diol (3-MCPD) were found in this survey compared with the retail survey published by the FSA last year (ref Food Hazard Warning 26/2001). 3-MCPD is a chemical contaminant found at low levels in many foods as a result of processing, and could cause harm to people who consume products containing high levels of it in most of their meals over a long period of time.

Identification of the Affected Soy Sauce Products:

The survey identified six products which exceeded the legal limit, however only four samples had sufficient details to enable traceability, these are listed below. However, further assistance in identifying the products can be obtained below and on the LACORS website where label photographs are available.

Commission Regulation (EC) No 466/2001 came into force on 5 April 2002 and set a legal limit of 0.02 mg/kg for 3-MCPD in soy sauce based on 40% dry matter content. The products below were found in the survey with levels of 3-MCPD that exceed the legal limit.

Product Description:

Product description/name: Superior Light Soy Sauce
Brand: Pearl River Bridge
Pack/container size: 600ml
Best Before Date: 30/09/2003
Batch number: F43 194 PDT15 JUL01
Country of Origin: China
Sample result (3-MCPD mg/kg): 21.8

Product description/name: Mushroom Soy Sauce
Brand: Pearl River Bridge
Pack/container size: 1.79 litres
Best Before Date: End 2002
Batch number: No batch number on this label, similar products with batch numbers are not affected
Country of Origin: China
Sample result (3-MCPD mg/kg): 0.21

Product description/name: Gold Plum Superior Light Soy Sauce
Brand: Gold Plum
Pack/container size: 750g
Best Before Date: 16/05/2003
Batch number: CD 1LY 017
Country of Origin: China
Sample result (3-MCPD mg/kg): 0.067

Product description/name: Dark Soya Sauce Mushroom
Brand: Gold Plum
Pack/container size: 15kg
Best Before Date: 12/03/2003
Batch number: GD 1LY 010
Country of Origin: China
Sample result (3-MCPD mg/kg): 0.038

Sample results are given normalised to 40% dry matter content

Action Taken by the Food Standards Agency:

The FSA has contacted directly the importers and owners of the catering outlets as below. All implicated products at the catering outlets where samples with high levels of 3-MCPD were taken have already been withdrawn from sale following visits by the relevant local authorities.

Importers contacted by the Food Standards Agency:

S.W.Trading Ltd, 284 Water Road, Alperton, Middlesex, HA0 1HX

Double Happiness Wholesale Ltd, Essex, RM8 1RF

Hoo Hing Ltd, East Way, London, E9 5NR

Restaurants/Catering Outlets contacted by the Food Standards Agency:

China House Restaurant, 24 The Lanes Shopping Centre, Birmingham Road, Wylde Green, B72 1YG

Lams, 3 Broadoak Crescent, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 8QU

Dragon House, 30 Stowell Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1

Yum Yums Noodle Bar, 22-23 Sydney Street, Brighton, BN1 4EN
Yoons, 111 High Street, West Wickham, Kent, BR4 0LT

Yellow River, 2 Coleman House, High Street, Penge

The FSA has also issued a press release today and Q & A briefing that can be found below

Action to be taken by local authorities:

The products detailed above do not comply with the food safety requirements specified in the Food Safety Act 1990 due to contamination with 3- MCPD.

Although the survey was of soy sauce found in catering outlets, this does not necessarily mean that distribution is solely to these types of premises. Local authorities are, therefore, requested to contact all catering outlets, wholesalers/distributors and retail outlets who may sell such products to ensure they are withdrawn from sale. The decision as to whether to visit premises or to contact relevant businesses by other means is left to the discretion of local authorities.

If the products are discovered, enforcement officers should ensure that they are withdrawn from sale and destroyed, if necessary using powers under the Food Safety Act 1990. In wholesale/cash and carry premises, officers should endeavour to trace distribution of the affected products and ensure that distributed products are removed from retail sale or use in catering outlets (if necessary by liaising with other local authorities).

Local Authorities are requested to action the food hazard warning as soon as possible after receipt

Additional Information

The affected products are believed to have been imported from China.

The officer dealing with this hazard is: Jo Purkiss, who can be contacted on 020 7276 8461.