Soft ice-cream sample detected with coliform bacteria count exceeding legal limit
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A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS collected the above-mentioned soft ice-cream sample from a licensed itinerant hawker (mobile van) in Central for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained 310 coliform bacteria per gram, exceeding the legal limit."
"The CFS has informed the person-in-charge of the licence concerned of the irregularity and instructed the person-in-charge to stop selling and to dispose all the affected soft ice-cream immediately. The CFS has also provided health education on food safety and hygiene to person-in-charge of the licence concerned, and instructed to carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection to the mobile van," the spokesman said.
Under the Frozen Confections Regulation (Cap. 132AC), 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 will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health.
Ends/Thursday, May 21, 2026
Issued at HKT 20:45
Issued at HKT 20:45
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