A batch of Hong Kong produced Vita Lemon Tea was listed among May’s CIQ inspection failures. According to AQSIQ website, the tea drinks were detected with excessive levels of antioxidant INS No.304 and were rejected at port.
In light of GB 2760-2011 “Standards for Uses of Food Additives”, the application scope of ascorbyl palmitate (INS No. 304) is limited to a specific range of food categories which excludes tea-based drinks. However the antioxidant is allowed in water-based flavored drinks with a maximum level of 1,000 mg/kg with reference to internationally agreed CODEX General Standard for Food Additives.
Vita Lemon Tea products intended for mainland China market are usually added with antioxidant INS No. 300 (ascorbic acid) while those circulated in Hong Kong will be added with an appropriate amount of ascorbyl palmitate. The batch was rejected due to non-compliance with national standards rather than safety issues. This particular case reflected the divergence between Chinese national standards and international standards regarding the use of food additives.
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