The Centre for Food Safety on Tuesday warned people to pay attention to sodium levels in some dim sum dishes, saying excessive sodium intake can lead to health problems like hypertension.

The centre tested 120 dim sum samples collected from 50 Chinese restaurants, including 12 types of dim sum and four types of sauces.

Among the samples, it said the sodium content of shrimp siu mai, spring rolls with shrimp and steamed minced beef balls were relatively high.

The centre's controller, Christine Wong, said for example, an adult would effectively consume around one third of the recommended daily intake of sodium by just having a shrimp siu mai and a shrimp spring roll dish.

Wong said although the general sodium content in dim sum has gone down when compared to previous studies, consumers should still remain cautious.

“We recommend the public to further reduce sodium consumption. When they eat out, they can choose dim sim with lower salt and sodium level. Besides, they can request sauce to be served separately. They can taste it before dipping it in the sauce,” she said, adding that steamed rice rolls with barbecued pork or beef, or steamed plain rice roll are healthier alternatives.

Wong also urged restaurants to serve sauces seperately and in smaller portions.