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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) announced the findings of a targeted food surveillance project to assess the microbiological quality of ice-cream and frozen confections today (July 3). All 1,100 samples passed the tests.
"A total of 1,100 ice-cream and frozen confection samples, including soft ice-cream, sundaes, ice-cream in original wrapper, ice-cream scoops and popsicles were collected from over 400 retail outlets including food factories, frozen confection factories, mobile vans, supermarkets, restaurants and convenience stores for testing of pathogens (e.g. Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus) and hygiene indicators (coliform organisms and total bacterial count)," a spokesman for the CFS said.
Under the Frozen Confections Regulation, each gram of frozen confection (including ice-cream) for sale should not contain more than 50,000 bacteria or over 100 coliform organisms. The maximum penalty for offenders is a fine of $10,000 and three months' imprisonment.
Although all samples passed the tests, the spokesman reminded manufacturers to ensure that their food products are fit for human consumption and meet the legal requirements. They should also obtain ingredients, such as milk, cream and ice-cream mix, from licensed and reliable sources, and establish and practise food safety control plans such as the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point System.
As for the retailers, the spokesman said, they should not re-freeze melted frozen confections for sale and should discard defrosted products. They should also remove and discard any soft ice-cream left in an ice-cream machine every day. In addition, they should clean and sanitise all equipment and utensils every day. Good hygienic practices during all preparation and handling processes (including personal hygiene of food handlers) should be observed while keeping both hands clean.
"Consumers should buy ice-cream and frozen confections from reliable shops and should not buy or consume any ice-cream or frozen confection which has expired or is not of good quality. They should also maintain a balanced diet and avoid eating too much ice-cream, as it is generally high in calories," he added.
Ends/Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Issued at HKT 14:31
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