KUALA LUMPUR: No sample of soy sauce products, including that of ABC brand, which was recalled by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), contains sulphur dioxide.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the ministry had been informed about the recall of ABC Sweet Soy Sauce and ABC Sambal Ayam Goreng Sauce from Singapore due to the presence of undeclared allergens.
He said cross-checks on the Food Safety Information System of Malaysia data found that these two products were also being imported to our country.
"However, since June 2021, ABC sweet soy sauce has been subjected to the 'Hold, Test and Release' process at all entry points.
"Re-labelling instructions, or instructions to send back the products to the country of origin are also issued in case of non-compliance with labelling requirements including sulphur dioxide labelling.
"From the surveillance carried out at all the country's entry points and in the local market from June 2021 until now, no sample of soy sauce products including ABC soy sauce were detected to contain sulphur dioxide," he said.
Dr Noor Hisham said sulphur dioxide is classified as a permitted preservative in some foods when it is at an allowable amount under Food Regulations 1985.
Sulphur dioxide is not harmful when used in permitted concentrations, but it can cause allergic reactions to those with asthma.
Sulphur dioxide content exceeding 10mg/kg must be declared or labelled.
Dr Noor Hisham reminded members of the public to contact the nearest Health Office or channel any information in relation to food safety via http://moh.spab.gov.my or the Food Safety and Quality division's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bkkmhq.