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Friday, December 1, 1972
TOXIC FOOD COLOURINGS TO BE PROHIBITED
New regulations have been introduced to prevent the use of toxic
industrial dyes in the preparation of food in food premises in the New
Territories.
The Urban Council has already introduced by-laws which have the same
effect in the urban areas.
The regulations prohibit the presence on any food premises of non-
permitted colouring matter which could be used in food.
A spokesman for the Urban Services Department said that during
routine inspections of food factories and bakeries, staff from the department
often find prohibited colouring matter being kept on the premises "and it can
safely be presumed that these are used in food preparation."
These colourings are known to be highly toxic, but unless samples
of food being manufactured are taken for chemical analysis, it is impossible
to prove that they are used in food and no legal action can be taken.
Thus the amending regulations make it an offence for any person to
keep in food premises any colouring matter which is not permitted under the
Colouring Matter in Food Regulations.
The maximum penalty for this offence is a fine of $2,000 and three
months imprisonment. A fine of $50 a day can also be imposed for a continuing
offence.
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