SFA recalls Kwong Cheong Thye sauces, pastes due to presence of undeclared fish allergen

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has directed Kwong Cheong Thye to recall five of its sauces and pastes after an undeclared fish allergen was detected in the products.

SFA said in a media release that the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of Hong Kong’s Food and Environmental Hygiene Department detected an allergen, fish, in a sample of Kwong Cheong Thye Sambal Belachan Chilli Paste manufactured in Singapore.

The allergen was not declared on the product's label.

Further investigations by the manufacturer, Kwong Cheong Thye Pte Ltd, revealed that the aforementioned product, as well as their Crispy Chilli (Sauce), Chilli Crab Sauce, Laksa Paste and Premium Chilli King (Sauce) products could potentially contain fish allergen due to the shrimp-based ingredients used in these products.

Since the implicated products are available for sale in Singapore, SFA has directed the manufacturer to recall the products.

The recall is ongoing.

"Allergen in food could result in allergic reaction in individuals who are sensitive to it," added SFA.

"Under the Sale of Food (Food Regulation), food products containing ingredients that are known to cause hypersensitivity must be declared on food packaging labels to safeguard public health."

Consumers who have purchased the affected products, and who are allergic to fish, should not consume them. The presence of fish allergen does not pose a food safety issue to consumers at large, except for those who are allergic to fish.

Consumers who have purchased the affected products, and are allergic to fish, may contact their point of purchase for enquiries.

Details of the implicated products are as follows:

• Kwong Cheong Thye Sambal Belachan Chilli Paste in 230g jars that are best before Sep 5, 2021; Nov 8, 2021; Feb 4, 2022; Mar 30, 2022; and Apr 8, 2022
• Kwong Cheong Thye Crispy Chilli in 230g jars that are best before May 16, 2021; Dec 29, 2021 Dec 11, 2021; Jan 28, 2022; Feb 10, 2022; Feb 19, 2022; Apr 15, 2022
• Kwong Cheong Thye Chilli Crab Sauce in 300g and 1kg packets, for all best before dates
• Kwong Cheong Thye Laksa Paste in 200g packets that are best before Jul 23, 2021; and 1kg packets that are best before Sep 10, 2021, and Jul 3, 2021
• Kwong Cheong Thye Premium Chilli King in 230g jars that are best before Nov 11, 2021 and Jan 29, 2022