*****************************************
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (October 30) announced that a sample of ice-cream, made upon order, was found to contain a total bacteria count and a coliform count exceeding legal limits. Prosecution will be taken against the vendor concerned.
A CFS spokesman said, "Following up on a food complaint, the CFS took the above-mentioned ice-cream sample at a food premises in Causeway Bay for testing. Results showed that the total bacterial count of the sample was 9.3 million per gram and the coliform count of the sample was 3 900 per gram. Under the Frozen Confections Regulation (Cap. 132 sub. leg. AC), each gram of frozen confection 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."
He added, "The fact that the total bacteria count and the coliform count exceeded the legal limits indicated that the hygienic conditions were unsatisfactory, but did not mean that consumption would lead to food poisoning."
The CFS has informed the shop operator of the testing results and will take prosecution action. The vendor concerned has voluntarily stopped sale of the affected ice-cream. The CFS will continue to follow up on the case. To ensure food safety and safeguard public health, follow-up samples will be taken for testing once the vendor concerned resumes supply of the affected ice-cream.
Ends/Thursday, October 30, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:07
NNNN
