Imported prepackaged frozen confection sample detected with coliform bacteria counts exceeding legal limits
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Product details:
Product name: Black Tea Ice Cream
Brand: Kochi Ice
Place of origin: Japan
Net volume: 115ml
Best-before date: April 18, 2027
Importer: Shin Tai Ho (Hong Kong) Company Limited
A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample at the import level for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained 140 coliform bacteria per gram, exceeding the legal limit."
Under the Frozen Confections Regulation (Cap. 132 AC), frozen confection for sale should not contain more than 100 coliform bacteria per gram. The maximum penalty for offenders is a fine of $10,000 and three months' imprisonment upon conviction. The fact that the coliform 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 has informed the importer concerned of the irregularities. 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 2647 1138 during office hours for enquiries about the recall of the product concerned. The CFS will temporarily suspend the permission to import for sale of the product concerned granted earlier to the importer," the spokesman said.
The CFS will inform the Japanese authority of the incident, and will continue to follow up on the case and take appropriate action. The investigation is ongoing.
Ends/Monday, July 28, 2025
Issued at HKT 19:52
Issued at HKT 19:52
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