Supermarket chain City’super has taken a vinegar from Italy off the shelves after it was found to have acetic acid below the legal standard for food composition.
Cavedoni Blue Label Balsamic Vinegar The withdrawal last night was made after the Centre for Food Safety announced that a sample of pre-packaged vinegar “Cavedoni Blue Label 10Y Balsamic Vinegar of Modena” collected in a Central outlet was found to have contained 3.3 grams of acetic acid in 100 cubic centimetres, below the legal standard of no less than 4 grams in 100 cubic centimetres.
The centre said it had instructed the chain to stop selling the affected batch. Prosecution would follow should there be sufficient evidence of wrongdoing.
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A chain spokeswoman said the product was taken off its shelves and that customers would be refunded with receipts or they could exchange it for other items.
The centre said: “Although consuming vinegar with acetic acid below the legal standard would not pose any health concern, the sample did not meet the legal requirement on the composition of vinegar as stated in the Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap 132W).”
According to the regulation, if the composition of food available for sale in the city did not conform with legal requirements, the maximum penalty upon conviction would be a fine of HK$50,000 and six months’ imprisonment.
The product, sold in a 250mm bottle, was made by Antica Acetaia Cavedoni dal 1860 with a best-before date of December 31, 2025.