CFS urges public not to consume two kinds of prepackaged ice cream detected with total bacterial count exceeding legal limit
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Details of the product are as follows:
Product names/Best-before dates:
(1) Vanilla Gelato/April 21, 2026; and
(2) Sesame Gelato/July 3, 2026
Brand: Make Meanings
Place of origin: Hong Kong
Net volume: 70ml
Manufacturer: Pay & Pay Ice Cream International Company Limited
A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS collected the above-mentioned samples from two retail outlets in Kowloon City and Sham Shui Po respectively for testing. The test results showed that the samples contained 210 000 and 55 000 bacteria per gram respectively, exceeding the legal limit."
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 has informed the manufacturer and the vendors concerned of the irregularities and instructed them to stop selling the affected ice-cream products immediately. The CFS has also sent staff to the frozen confection factory concerned to conduct an investigation and took samples for testing. Health education on food safety and hygiene was provided to the person-in-charge and staff of the frozen confection factory concerned. The factory concerned has temporarily closed for carrying out thorough cleaning and disinfection of the premises. The CFS has also requested the factory concerned to adopt improvement measures. Prosecution will be instituted should there be sufficient evidence," the spokesman said.
For the sake of prudence, the CFS has instructed the above-mentioned manufacturer to stop sales and remove from shelves the affected batches of the ice-cream products and to initiate a recall. Members of the public may call the hotline at 5548 9226 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.
The spokesman advised members of the public to stop consuming the affected products and seek medical treatment if they feel unwell after consuming the products concerned.
The CFS will alert the trade to the incident, continue to follow up and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.
Ends/Saturday, August 30, 2025
Issued at HKT 19:37
Issued at HKT 19:37
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