Update | Power of turtle jelly lies in its recipe: Hoi Tin Tong founder
Beleaguered herbal chain founder defends his product against survey which showed almost no turtle shell in samples from his company
The most effective turtle jelly is made from a good mix of turtle shell and herbs, rather than from a large quantity of turtle shell, says the founder of beleaguered herbal chain Hoi Tin Tong.
Ng Yiu-ming's business is facing a crisis after its former advertising agent claimed the chain sold jelly that had gone mouldy, and a separate university study revealed the product contained almost no turtle shell.
Rejecting both accusations, Ng, 61, said his company's jelly contained more than two types of turtle. The product is a traditional health food believed to be effective in lowering cholesterol levels and improving complexions.
"We use fresh turtle for production and boil the whole turtle, including its shell and belly, with herbs," said Ng, who has appeared in the chain's television adverts for more than a decade.
It was a good formula, rather than the amount of turtle shell, that made the best jelly, he said.
The study conducted by Cheung Hon-yeung, an associate professor in City University's biology and chemistry department, found no turtle-shell collagen in three out of four Hoi Tin Tong samples, bought on the mainland and in Hong Kong two months ago.
The manager of the chain earlier said the company harvested 300kg of turtle shell and meat each day to make more than 20,000 cups of turtle jelly.