Pei Pa Koa-flavoured food products unlikely to have any food safety issues: SFA
Chinese herbal products are commonly used in food as ingredients or as flavourings in small amounts, says the Singapore Food Agency.
Pei Pa Koa-flavoured food products are unlikely to have any food safety issues, said the Singapore Food Agency (SFA). (Image: Instagram/ninjiom.singapore)
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SINGAPORE: While Pei Pa Koa-flavoured food products are unlikely to have any food safety issues, people should consume them in moderation.
That was the advice from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) after a Malaysia ice cream chain recently pulled a Pei Pa Koa dessert from its stores due to concerns by the Malaysian health ministry.
Pei Pa Koa - also known as Pi Pa Gao - is a herbal syrup meant to relieve cough and soothe sore throat.
It is classified as a Chinese Proprietary Medicine and regulated by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), SFA said on Tuesday (Aug 6) in response to CNA's queries.
The agency noted that Chinese herbal products are commonly used in food as ingredients or as flavourings in small amounts. Such food products are required to meet SFA's safety requirements, and they should not be intended for preventing, treating or alleviating illnesses.
"In view of the low levels of each herbal ingredient in the food, Pei Pa Koa-flavoured food products are unlikely to have any food safety issues," SFA said.
"Nevertheless, consumers are advised to consume such products in moderation."
Pei Pa Koa, sold by the Nin Jiom Group, contains honey and a variety of herbs.
According to the company's Singapore website, the product includes ingredients such as the bulb of the Himalayan frillitary lily, loquat leaves, pomelo peel and the platycodon root, which is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Malaysia's health ministry said on Jul 30 that the sale of ice cream with Pei Pa Koa was against the law. Under Malaysia's Food Act, it is an offence to adulterate edible items with medicine or sell such items.
The ice cream chain, Inside Scoop, later stopped selling the Pei Pa Koa dessert and took down all promotional images of the product.
In Singapore, SFA said that in consultation with HSA and the food industry, it will continue to evaluate the safe use of such herbal materials in food for long-term consumption.
