The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) in Hong Kong today advised consumers to immediately discard a specific production lot of imported canned shredded pork after preliminary testing indicated potentially excessive levels of the veterinary drug sulfamethazine. Following an international health alert, the CFS confirmed the product—Ma Ling Shredded Pork and Preserved Vegetable—was distributed locally, prompting an immediate sales ban, market withdrawal, and consumer recall initiated by the importer, Champion Fair Limited. While experts suggest infrequent consumption poses minimal acute risk, the long-term ingestion of elevated veterinary residues could potentially impact sensitive individuals.
Recall Issued for Ma Ling Canned Product
The affected item is described as “Ma Ling Shredded Pork and Preserved Vegetable,” imported from mainland China, packaged in 240-gram cans, and bearing a best-before date of April 7, 2028.
The regulatory action was triggered by notification from Macao authorities concerning the detection of sulfamethazine exceeding safety limits in the product category. Sulfamethazine is classified as a sulphonamide antimicrobial commonly used in animal husbandry. Subsequent CFS investigations confirmed that Champion Fair Limited had distributed the implicated batch within the Hong Kong market.
Upon instruction from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the distributor promptly suspended all commercial activities involving the product, removed existing stock from retail shelves, and initiated a consumer recall protocol. Consumers holding the specific batch are urged to contact the distributor’s recall hotline at 2766 0128 during standard business hours for refund or disposal inquiries.
Understanding the Health Implications of Sulfamethazine
A CFS spokesperson clarified the potential health effects associated with the residue. Although sulfamethazine is an antimicrobial agent, the risk from the detected levels is considered low for occasional consumers.
“Based on the concentration reported by the relevant authority, a single instance of consumption is not expected to cause adverse health outcomes,” the spokesperson noted. However, the agency issued a strong precautionary warning: “Prolonged and consistent consumption of products containing high levels of sulfamethazine may potentially lead to hypersensitivity reactions or adverse effects on the urinary system.”
This alert underscores the critical role of surveillance in ensuring food safety across porous international supply chains. The CFS is taking coordinated measures with marketplace operators to ensure the complete removal of the contaminated product.
Actionable Steps for Consumers and Traders
The CFS strongly advises both the public and commercial food businesses to adhere strictly to the immediate advisory:
- Consumers: If you have purchased the identified Ma Ling canned pork with the specified best-before date, do not consume it. Contact the distributor for recall procedures.
- Food Traders (Retailers and Caterers): Immediately cease all sales, display, or use of the specified product batch. Food traders are encouraged to review their inventory systems to ensure compliance with the halt order.
The department confirmed it has formally alerted the relevant trade associations and operators regarding the withdrawal. Investigations into the source and distribution chain of the contaminated batch are ongoing. The CFS pledged to maintain rigorous monitoring of the marketplace to safeguard public health and will take further appropriate enforcement action if necessary. This incident highlights the ongoing necessity for vigilance in scrutinizing imported food products for veterinary drug residues.