Soft ice-cream sample detected with total bacterial count exceeding legal limit
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A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from a licensed frozen confection factory in Quarry Bay for testing. The test result showed that the sample contained 2 300 000 bacteria per gram, exceeding the legal limit.
"The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop selling and to dispose the affected product immediately. The CFS has also provided health education on food safety and hygiene to the person-in-charge and staff of the vendor concerned, and requested it to carry out a thorough cleaning and disinfection. Prosecution will be instituted should there be sufficient evidence," the spokesman said.
Under the Frozen Confections Regulation (Cap. 132AC), frozen confection for sale should not contain more than 50 000 bacteria per gram. The maximum penalty for offenders is a fine of $10,000 and three months' imprisonment upon conviction. The fact that the total bacterial count exceeded the legal limit indicated that the hygienic conditions were unsatisfactory, but did not mean that consumption would lead to food poisoning.
The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health.
Ends/Thursday, June 26, 2025
Issued at HKT 20:45
Issued at HKT 20:45
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