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The issue of 3-MCPD and its presence in various brands of Chinese sauces, including Lee Kum Kee, dates back to October 1999 following a report by UK food authorities. We are aware that chain e-mail relating to this story is still in circulation around the world.

At Lee Kum Kee we are concerned at the continued inaccurate reporting of the subject and believe you have the right to be informed clearly and meaningfully about the matter directly so that the facts are clear.

To our knowledge, no precautionary recommendations have been issued by Governments to consumers, together with no formal ordering of product recalls from supermarket shelves in relation to 3-MCPD. Latest reports from UK authorities conclude that 3-MCPD is not genotoxic and state that there is no need for consumers to change their diets as a result of these [3-MCPD] findings.

3-MCPD is not a food ingredient that is added to food products. In a report by the Food Standards Agency in the UK, it can occur at low levels in many foods and food ingredients (not just Chinese sauces) as a result of processing or storage conditions.

Immediately following the first report in 1999, as good manufacturing practice Lee Kum Kee addressed all production techniques, product formulations and raw material supplies with the objective of eliminating any traceable level of 3-MCPD - something we have done successfully and maintained to this day. Working closely with internationally accredited laboratories together with our own state-of-the-art equipment, all Lee Kum Kee products are continually tested and more than meet with Government food standards around the world.

We hope that the information is useful to you and would invite any further questions you may have.

Further reference: www.foodstandards.gov.uk

(Hong Kong, March 2001)