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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) recently conducted a targeted food surveillance to assess the microbiological quality of ice-cream products. No pathogens were detected in any of the samples.
About 1,000 ice-cream product samples, including soft ice-cream, sundaes, ice-cream in wrappers, ice-cream scoops and popsicles, were collected from food factories, ice-cream vans, convenience stores, supermarkets and restaurants for testing of bacteria level and pathogens. All the samples were tested negative for pathogens, including Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus.
As for bacteria level, apart from one soft ice-cream sample announced earlier for containing coliform organisms exceeding the legal standard, another soft ice-cream sample was found to contain coliform organisms at a level of 170 per gramme.
Under the law, each gramme of frozen confection for sale should not contain more than 50,000 bacteria or more than 100 coliform organisms. The maximum penalty for offenders is a fine of $10,000 and three months' imprisonment.
"The level of coliform organisms, a hygiene indicator, detected in the sample could be a result of sub-optimal hygienic conditions during processing," a CFS spokesman said.
"The CFS has taken follow-up action, including issuing warning letters to the food premises concerned."
He reminded the trade to ensure that their food products were fit for consumption and met legal requirements. They should observe good hygiene practices during food preparation and handling processes.
Ends/Monday, August 25, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:05
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