AVA recalls manuka honey from NZ firm

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) is recalling certain manuka honey products as non-approved substances - dihydroxyacetone (DHA) and methylglyoxal - may have been used in the processing.

The affected products are from Auckland-based firm Evergreen Life. While the New Zealand authorities said there was no food safety risk associated with the products, the AVA is recalling them because Singapore's food regulations do not allow additives in honey.

Consumers who have bought the affected products are advised to discard them.

40,000 books on sale at All Saints Home carnival

Some 40,000 books will be on sale at a Charity Book Carnival till Monday (Feb 29) at All Saints Home, from 9am to 6pm at the organisation's premises in Yishun Ring Road.

The books, priced at $2 each, were donated by Madam Yap Hui Hong, who used to own a second-hand bookstore with her late husband. Sale proceeds will go to the home's elderly sick.

Tekong BMT centre hit by 15 HFMD cases

A total of 15 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease have been diagnosed at School 4 of the Basic Military Training Centre in Pulau Tekong over the last week.

Chief Army Medical Officer Poon Beng Hoong said the servicemen were treated promptly and given sick leave. Three of them have since recovered and returned to camp.

Catering firm's halal certification suspended

The Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (Muis) has suspended the halal certification of Deli Hub Catering, a subsidiary of catering firm Neo Group, since Dec 10.

This was due to contact between halal and non-halal food or cross-contamination of equipment, said the Neo Group in a statement yesterday.