Five kinds of New Zealand bottled soft drinks may contain small glass particles

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (August 21) urged the public not to consume different batches of five kinds of bottled non-alcoholic soft drinks imported from New Zealand as they might contain small glass particles. The trade should also stop selling the products concerned.

The five products are Phoenix Cola, Phoenix Lemonade, Phoenix Light Cola, Phoenix Orange Fizz and Phoenix Raspberry Fizz with best before dates from April 13 through July 7, 2016.

"The CFS, through its routine Food Incident Surveillance System, learned that the New Zealand authorities noted that these products might contain small glass particles. Sale has been stopped and recall is underway. The CFS contacted the New Zealand authorities and understood that the trade took the initiative to recall the products. The CFS has also sent staff to conduct sales check at major local outlets but no affected products have been found so far. Later the CFS was informed that some of the affected products had been imported into Hong Kong. Investigation hence began. Upon contacting the importer, two kinds of the affected products of specific dates were found to be sold in the local market," a spokesman for the CFS said.

Product details as follows:

(1) Product names: Phoenix Lemonade
Manufacturer: The Better Drinks Co
Importer: DKSH Hong Kong Ltd
Country of origin: New Zealand
Bottle size: 330 millilitres
Best before dates: May 11, 2016

(2) Product names: Phoenix Light Cola
Manufacturer: The Better Drinks Co
Importer: DKSH Hong Kong Ltd
Country of origin: New Zealand
Bottle size: 330 millilitres
Best before dates: April 13, April 20 and June 3, 2016

The spokesman said, according to the information they provided, they had been notified by the exporter earlier and took the affected batches of the products off shelf and initiated a recall. For the sake of prudence, members of the public are urged not to consume the affected batches of the products concerned. They may call the company's hotline at 2963 6872 for enquiries.

"The CFS has alerted the trade to the incident. The CFS has not received any related complaints about the affected products over the last month," he said.

The CFS will continue to closely monitor the case and take appropriate follow-up action. Investigation is still ongoing.

Ends/Friday, August 21, 2015