Traders feel Taiwan-HK ‘gutter oil’ scandal backlash

Street food is seen in the Central district of Hong Kong. Pineapple buns and dumplings have been pulled from the shelves in Hong Kong as authorities investigate whether they contain gutter oil from Taiwan, where concerns are growing over a food safety scare, officials said September 8. - AFP PHOTO / XAUME OLLEROS

A “GUTTER oil” scandal in Taiwan and Hong Kong has had repercussions for Singapore traders selling pineapple cakes and mooncakes, who have had to reassure customers that products imported from the two countries are safe.

Some have listed the snacks’ ingredients publicly and even given out “food safety declarations” to vouch that they do not contain illegally recycled oil.