Shops withdraw snack foods linked to banned sweetener

Shop shelves are being cleared of two instant noodle products and a brand of prawn crackers over fears they contain a suspected cancer-causing artificial sweetener banned in Hong Kong.

Last night the Government also announced that all sales of biscuit sticks made by Glico, including Pretz, had been suspended temporarily.

Nissin UFO Oomori Yaki Soba Instant Noodles, Nissan Tatsugin Tonkatsu ramen instant noodles and Kiku prawn crackers were being tested after Singaporean food authorities revealed they contained stevioside, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said last night.

The department's assistant director, Gloria Tam Lai-fan, said: 'We have checked their packages but have not found stevioside listed on the food labels.'

She added that the department had to check with the manufacturer and Japanese health authorities whether the product had different ingredients for different locations.

She said officers had found that the Korean-made Natchoro artificial sweetener containing the banned ingredient was sold in several Hong Kong health stores. This product has also been recalled.