Hong Kong McDonald’s said on August 24 that multiple rounds of testing found no nitrofurans or their metabolites in samples of its shrimp patties, and that the products met food safety requirements.
The testing followed a precautionary suspension of the chain’s shrimp burger range in Hong Kong. Two shrimp burgers previously launched by McDonald’s Taiwan were reported to contain nitrofuran metabolites and were subsequently withdrawn from sale. Star Headline reported that Hong Kong McDonald’s said the products involved in Taiwan and Hong Kong came from different batches.
Hong Kong McDonald’s said it had commissioned several internationally accredited independent third-party testing organisations to examine relevant shrimp patty samples in multiple rounds. The reports did not specify which batches were tested, how many samples were examined or which testing methods were used.
The company said the tested samples contained neither nitrofurans nor their metabolites, and used the results to confirm that the relevant products met food safety requirements. The reports did not identify the specific regulations or standards behind that assessment.
Ming Pao reported that Hong Kong’s Taste of Shrimp Burger range would not return this year. McDonald’s Hong Kong said the products were part of a limited-time promotion and that the promotion had ended.
The company’s cited test results indicate that no nitrofurans or their metabolites were detected in the tested Hong Kong samples. The reports did not say whether or when the range might return after this year.