This screenshot taken on July 18, 2022 shows the official website of the Consumer Council.

HONG KONG – Hong Kong's consumer rights watchdog on Monday urged shoppers be discerning in buying cooking oil after a recent test of 50 oil samples showed that 60 percent had carcinogens and three even exceeded European Union standards. 

In a press release issued on Monday, the Consumer Council said the genotoxic carcinogen glycidol was detected in 29 samples while two samples had benzo[a]pyrene, another genotoxic carcinogen. Two of the 29 samples with glycidol and one with benzo[a]pyrene exceeded EU standards.

The Consumer Council said the genotoxic carcinogen glycidol was detected in 29 samples while two samples had benzo[a]pyrene, another genotoxic carcinogen. Two of the 29 samples with glycidol and one with benzo[a]pyrene exceeded EU standards 

The council said one sample had levels of plasticiser that exceeded the action level of the Centre for Food Safety and the EU’s upper limit. Overall, only 3 of the 50 tested samples had no contaminants.

“As cooking oil is an indispensable ingredient in everyday cooking, manufacturers should have the responsibility to ensure their quality and safety, and prevent any harmful contaminants, so as to safeguard the health of consumers,” the council said.

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It said one coconut oil and one peanut oil sample had 1,100μg and 2,000μg glycidol, respectively, both exceeding the maximum level of 1,000μg/kg set under EU standards.

The council also noted that the test found both the contaminant 3-MCPD and glycidol in one sample of extra virgin olive oil and two samples of camellia oil which claimed to be cold-pressed.

Although they did not exceed EU standards, the samples may have been treated with high temperature, or had been contaminated with non-cold pressed oils.

The council said they have forwarded this to the Customs and Excise Department for follow-up as this could be a violation of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance.

Consumers should also select cooking oils that mainly contain unsaturated fatty acids, and those with lower trans fatty acid and saturated fatty acid contents, the council said.

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When cooking, consumers should also be mindful of the smoke points of different cooking oils to prevent emission of a large amount of cooking fumes which could lead to health risks, it added.

The Council sourced 50 samples of common varieties of cooking oils from supermarkets and department stores, covering 13 categories, including 14 extra virgin olive oils, two olive oils, two avocado oils, three coconut oils, two camellia oils, two sunflower oils, two rice bran oils, two grapeseed oils, three corn oils, six canola oils, one soybean oil, six peanut oils and five blended oils.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government announced on Monday the appointment Clement Chan Kam-wing as Chairman of the Consumer Council for a term of two years effect July 15, 2022.

"With his extensive experience in and strong commitment to public service, we are confident that Mr Chan will provide able leadership for the development of the council in protecting and promoting consumer interests in Hong Kong," a government spokesman said.