Ron Hui Shu-yuen, vice-chairman of Publicity and Community Relations Committee of the Consumer Council, shows canned luncheon meat and sardines which have been found to contain excessive levels of sodium and fat. EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY

Canned luncheon meat and sardines sold in Hong Kong shops have been found to contain as much as three times the recommended daily sodium limit, according to a joint study by the Consumer Council and the Centre for Food Safety (CFS). Experts said the excess amount of sodium poses potential health risks, especially to patients with high blood pressure.

According to the United Kingdom Food Standards Agency (FSA), a food is considered to be high in sodium if it contains more than 600mg of sodium per 100g. Seven out of 10 samples of canned luncheon meat studied by the Consumer Council and the CFS were shown to contain a range of 696mg to 2,230mg per 100g. Ma Ling Luncheon Meat was the worst, with the highest level of sodium. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a limit of 2,000mg of sodium per day yet only three slices of Ma Ling luncheon meat exceeds the recommended limit.

In addition, four out of 10 luncheon meat samples were shown to be high in total fat content, exceeding FSA guidelines of not more than 20g of fat per 100g. The four samples were shown to contain amounts of fat ranging from 20.2g to 29g per 100g.

Those with high blood pressure need to be especially careful about their sodium intake, said Professor Peter Cheung Chi Keung, Director of Studies, Food and Nutritional Sciences Program of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

"Too much sodium would increase blood concentration which would affect the pressure when the heart plumps blood," said Cheung, "For people with high blood pressure who are taking drugs to control their conditions, their drugs would be wasted if they take in too much sodium."

Cheung said having food with high sodium over the long term is also harmful to people who do not suffer high blood pressure, since sodium damages blood vessels.

He thinks it is generally not healthy to eat canned and preserved food, noting that even canned soup contains high levels of sodium.

Although they have been warned about the potential health risks attached to canned luncheon meat, most young people pay no attention on the warnings.

"I would still have it," said Angela To, a 18-year-old secondary school student. "I know it is not healthy as it is very salty, but it's convenient and I'm used to having it. I usually have it during holidays when my mum is not cooking," she added.

Guitar teacher Chan Siu-ming, 26, is more health conscious. He says he believes the canned luncheon meat is unhealthy because it is too salty and too oily. He only does it, however, when he dines out at some Hong Kong style restaurants.

The study also found two samples of canned sardines with slightly elevated level of sodium at 612mg and 637mg per 100g.

The Consumer Council advised consumers to drain off the sauce and oil from canned foods before consumption since the liquid contains a certain level of total fat, saturated fat and sodium.

It also suggests consumers take time to read nutrition labels on food packages to provide better opportunities to maintain a balanced diet.

China Daily

(HK Edition 04/16/2010 page1)