THE health risk from consumption of acrylamide and glycidol, which are carcinogenic ingredients found in three biscuit and crackers brands, is low, health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said today.

The Hong Kong Consumer Council said last week that 60 confectionery products marketed in the city-state contained high levels of cancer-causing substances. This includes the Hup Seng, Jacob’s and Julie’s biscuits and crackers, which are manufactured in Malaysia.

Noor Hisham said in a statement today the ministry’s food safety and quality division had conducted a risk assessment on the products.

“Acrylamide is a contaminant that can form during processing or preparation of food. However, the contamination can be controlled through the choice of raw ingredients and the suitable process,” he said.

Noor Hisham said based on the ministry’s observation since 2015, the average level of acrylamide in the said products were 246 μg/kg (microgramme per kilogramme), which is below the benchmark level of 350 μg/kg set by the European Union Commission.

“The division has conducted a risk analysis on acrylamide and glycidol in food and found that the health risk through consumption of the biscuit is low,” he said.

He said consumers can also get more information on the contamination of acrylamide on division’s official Facebook page.

Consumers can also contact their nearest state or district health departments or surf the website. – October 27, 2021.