The Consumer Council has issued a warning urging consumers to exercise restraint in their beer consumption following the discovery of harmful substances in various beer variants. The findings revealed the presence of substances known to cause headaches, with one particular variant containing a toxin linked to nausea and vomiting if consumed excessively.
In a comprehensive examination, the watchdog analyzed 30 beer samples with alcohol content ranging from 3 percent to 8 percent, spanning a price range of HK$4.50 to HK$50 per can or bottle. Among the samples, two stood out for containing multiple variants of biogenic amines, which are by-products of the alcohol fermentation process and serve as indicators of beverage quality, safety, and hygiene.
Gilly Wong Fung-han, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council, emphasized the potential health risks associated with excessive consumption of biogenic amines, including headaches, dizziness, vomiting, breathing disorders, and even cerebral hemorrhaging. She highlighted the challenge of distinguishing between alcohol-induced symptoms and those triggered by sensitivity to biogenic amines, as their manifestations can be similar.
Of particular concern was the detection of deoxynivalenol (DON), a mycotoxin found in Mai Dao Beer from Harbin. DON is notorious for causing a range of adverse effects, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, particularly when consumed in excess.
Wong urged consumers to consider limiting their beer intake to reduce exposure to biogenic amines and DON, stressing the absence of regulations setting upper limits for biogenic amines in beer both locally and internationally. She also underscored the broader health risks associated with alcohol consumption, citing its link to various types of cancer according to the World Health Organization.
Recommendations from the Consumer Council included checking labeled alcohol concentrations, storing beer at temperatures between five and 10 degrees Celsius, and being mindful of calorie intake, with some beer variants containing as much as 200 kcal per serving.
Additionally, the council highlighted discrepancies in alcohol content labeling, with six samples exhibiting higher alcohol content than indicated on the label by 0.5 percent or more. In response to the report, Harbin clarified that the sample beer was not exported to Hong Kong and assured compliance with mainland standards. Carlsberg affirmed its adherence to rigorous quality control measures to ensure food safety standards are met.
