CFS urges public not to consume a batch of prepackaged frozen duck suspected to contain veterinary drug, chloramphenicol

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (January 17) noted that a notification was received from the Macau authorities that a batch of frozen whole duck imported from Hong Kong was found to contain a veterinary drug, chloramphenicol. The CFS is following up on the incident. The CFS urges the public not to consume the affected product and the trade should also stop using or selling the the product concerned.

Details of the product are as follows:

Product name: All Natural DUCK
Brand: ‘Maple Leaf Farms' and ‘Woodland Farms'
Place of origin: USA
Importer: Angliss Hong Kong Food Service Limited
USDA (the U.S. Department of Agriculture) Certificate No: 022469 (indicated on product carton)
Packing: 6 pieces per carton (approximate weight: 14 kilograms)

A spokesman for the CFS said, "Upon receipt of a notification from the Food Safety Centre, Macau, that the above-mentioned prepackaged frozen whole duck imported from Hong Kong was detected with chloramphenicol, the CFS immediately contacted the local importer / exporter concerned, Angliss Hong Kong Food Service Limited for follow-up. According to the information provided by the importer, a total of 800 cartons of the product under the two brand names were imported from the US (600 cartons of 'Maple Leaf Farms' product and 200 cartons of 'Woodland Farms' product). Some of the product has been sold and the remaining stock is stored in the warehouse of the importer / exporter."

The importer concerned has stopped the sale of the product concerned according to CFS' instruction and initiated a recall. Members of the public may call the importer's hotline at 2494 2290 during office hours for enquiries about the recall. The CFS is also tracing the distribution of the product concerned and will alert the trade of the incident and request them to stop using or selling the affected product.

According to the Harmful Substances in Food Regulations (Cap. 132AF), no meat (including poultry meat) sold in Hong Kong for human consumption is allowed to contain chloramphenicol. Offenders will be prosecuted and will be liable to a fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months upon conviction.

The CFS will inform the US authorities, continue to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate follow-up action to safeguard food safety and public health. Investigation is ongoing.

Ends/Tuesday, January 17, 2017