Hongkongers’ love of sesame may put health at risk, watchdog warns after high levels of plasticisers found in some brands

Hong Kong residents' fondness for sesame products could be detrimental to their health, according to a warning issued by the Consumer Council. The council discovered excessive quantities of plasticisers in some popular brands, with one brand containing 79 times the recommended level.

The Consumer Council conducted tests on 35 samples of sesame products, including oil, powder, and paste. They found that four of these samples exceeded the plasticiser levels set by the Centre for Food Safety. Plasticisers are additives commonly used to soften plastics and can be found in the environment, including in the air, water, and food. Long-term absorption of plasticisers can potentially impact the reproductive system and affect organs such as the liver and kidneys.

In addition to plasticisers, the council found harmful contaminants in 16 samples. These contaminants were created during the high-temperature deodorisation processing of oils. One sample even exceeded the European Union standard by 1. 1 times. The council has urged manufacturers to scrutinise their manufacturing process to identify the source of these plasticisers. They also discovered discrepancies between nutrition labelling and actual content in some brands. The council has cautioned consumers against consuming excessive amounts of Chinese sausages due to their high sodium, sugar, and fat content.