HK Consumer Council Claims Several Popular Crackers Contain Cancer-Causing Substances

Unless you’re born in 2020, you’d probably be familiar with this:

Image: Yeti studio / Shutterstock.com

Good with coffee and best with Milo, the popular cracker, fondly called 苏打饼, is the staple breakfast for some people

But now, the crackers are under fire.

HK Consumer Council Claims Popular Crackers Contains Cancer-Causing Substances

Last week, the Hong Kong Consumer Council put out a media release, saying that they had tested 60 pre-packaged biscuits.

It turns out that all of them contained genotoxic carcinogens glycidol or acrylamide, or both, both of which can cause cancer.

Usually, these contaminants are produced when processing certain ingredients; for example, some tests show that  acrylamide are produced when we air-fry fries.

It should also note that palm oil refined at high temperature will also carry potential carcinogenic risks.

In addition, 46 out of the 60 biscuits contain three cancer-causing substances.

The CEO of the council said, “For consumers, you should eat these biscuits as little as possible or replace them with a healthier choice. If you really need to eat them, be disciplined and controlled.”

The nutrition labels on 40% of the biscuits were also found to be inaccurate, which could be a big issue, as the CEO also added, “Consumers, especially patients who have chronic illness and diabetes, rely on these nutrition labels to purchase the product.”

A few of the products include Hup Seng Special Cream Crackers, Ritz Crackers Cheese Flavoured Sandwich and Jacob’s Original Cream Crackers 93% Wheat Cereal.

Yes, as you read this, you might be munching on one of them now.

Malaysia Health Ministry Probes Advisory

With some popular brands being manufactured in Malaysia, the country’s health ministry has launched a probe into the findings.

They are now conducting checks on premises that make the biscuits.

One of the brands has since responded.

Hup Seng, , and one of the more popular ones being sold in Singapore for they look like something that our grandparents would approve of, has since posted a statement on their Facebook Page hours ago.

In the statement, they said that “product quality and safety have always been our first and foremost priority.

“We wish to ensure that our special cream crackers manufactured and marketed in Malaysia are fit for human consumption and are in compliance with the local regulations, quality standards and food safety standards. We will extend our fullest cooperation to the authorities in their investigations, if required.”

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