Of the 5,300 food samples tested by the Centre for Food Safety in September, 99.8% were satisfactory. Ten items failed the tests.

A sausage was found to contain sorbic acid, a preservative is not permitted in this type of food.

A chilled yellow croaker was found to contain colourings Tartrazine and Sunset Yellow FCF which are not permitted in chilled fish.

An orange roughy fillet was found to contain mercury exceeding the legal limit, and a fresh fan scallop contained cadmium.

A sample of oyster sauce had the preservative formic acid exceeding the legal limit, and a dietary supplement was found to contain non-permitted sweetener Stevioside.

A fried radish cake contained the pathogen Clostridium perfringens.

The centre said there were indications of unsatisfactory hygiene conditions during food processing and production, especially due to inappropriate food holding temperature and inadequate reheating or cooking.

The centre has traced the food sources, asked vendors to stop selling them and issued warning letters.