PETALING JAYA: Local cream cracker producer Hup Seng Perusahaan Makanan (M) Sdn Bhd has defended its product following claims it has cancer-inducing elements.

The company in a statement said its special cream crackers manufactured and marketed in Malaysia were fit for human consumption and complied with local regulations, quality standards and food safety standards.

The company also said it would fully cooperate on a probe.

“Being a socially responsible food manufacturer since 1958, product quality and safety have always been our first and foremost priority,” it said.

The Hong Kong Consumer Council recently announced 60 samples of pre-packed biscuits and crackers it tested contained cancer-inducing elements such as glycidol or acrylamide.

Hup Seng Cream crackers were among those tested.

The council also found that 40% of the products analysed had misleading nutrition labels.

The Health Ministry’s Food Safety and Quality Division, in a statement on Friday, said Hup Seng’s factory had valid Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points certificate.

It also said acrylamide and glycidol elements were contaminants that could be produced during the product manufacturing process.

It also noted that Malaysia’s guidelines permit companies to declare numbers based on calculation or analysis, and also to state the amount within a permitted range.

The division said food production premises in Malaysia must implement Food Safety Assurance Programmes such as MeSTI, GMP, HACCP and others as stated in Regulation 9 under the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009.

“The implementation of the Food Safety Assurance Programme will be able to identify the risk and reduce further hazards or get rid of food contamination.

“It is the responsibility of the industry to ensure the product produced is safe,” it added.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/10/25/cream-cracker-maker-defends-product-complies-with-standards