The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (July 3) urged the public not to consume a batch of prepackaged cumin powder originated from Georgia, as the product may contain a pesticide, ethylene oxide. The trade should stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately if they possess it.

     Product details are as follows:

Product name: KȔMMEL GEMAHLEN
Brand: MIMINO
Place of origin: Georgia
Net weight: 50 grams
Best-before date: December 1, 2025
Importer: Greek Delicatessen Limited

     A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS received a notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) of the European Commission that the above-mentioned product is being recalled as it was detected with ethylene oxide. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately contacted local importers for follow-up. Preliminary investigation found that the above-mentioned importer had imported into Hong Kong the affected batch of the product."

     The importer concerned has stopped sales and removed from shelves the affected product, and has initiated a recall according to the CFS's instructions. Members of the public may call its hotline at 3101 0783 during office hours for enquiries about the recall of the product concerned.

     The spokesman continued, "The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified ethylene oxide as a Group 1 carcinogen. According to the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap. 132CM), a food for human consumption containing pesticide residue may only be sold if consumption of the food is not dangerous or prejudicial to health. An offender is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months upon conviction."

     The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.

Ends/Thursday, July 3, 2025
Issued at HKT 20:45

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