Over 90 percent of margarine sold in Hong Kong could increase your risk of cancer

A consumer watchdog’s test has found that over 90 percent of margarine containing vegetable oils sold in Hong Kong contain genotoxic carcinogen glycidol - a substance that could increase the risk of having cancer.  

The 28 spreads tested by the Consumer Council included 12 samples of butter and 16 samples of margarine and spreads.  

The watchdog said amongst the 16 samples of margarine and spreads containing vegetable oils, 15, or 94 percent of them, were all detected with glycidol at significantly disparate levels.  

The only glycidol-free sample is Daisy’s Butter Blend Spread (Salted), according to the test.

The detected amounts of glycidol per kilogram of the sample varied by 24 times between the samples with the lowest (60μg) and highest (1,500μg) levels. The fat spread sample - earth balance’s Original Buttery Spread - which contains the highest detected amount of glycidol even exceeded the maximum level of the EU standard (1,000μg/kg).  

Meanwhile, over 60 percent of all 28 tested samples were detected with phthalates. However, the watchdog noted that the detected amounts of phthalates in all samples did not exceed the maximum level of the EU standard and will likely not pose health risks when consumed in regular portions.