Seven Chinese New Year festive food items have been removed from the market by Macao's Health Bureau for containing "an unacceptable amount of sulphur dioxide," local media reported Wednesday.

The Macao Post Daily reported that the health authorities have conducted inspections on 64 food samples including melon seeds and Chinese traditional cakes.

Meanwhile, the Economic Service Bureau over the past week has carried out 56 food safety inspections at local shops, markets and food stalls, according to the newspaper. The Information Bureau also issued a statement Tuesday to urge the public to be cautious about food packaging and expiry dates when purchasing food items.

Sulphur dioxide, which may be used during the production of some Chinese-style festive food as a preservative and an antioxidant, may induce asthma when inhaled or swallowed by allergy sufferers.

Source: Xinhua