Milk drink sample detected with excessive total bacterial count

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (July 13) announced that a Hi-calcium low fat milk drink sample was detected to have a total bacterial count exceeding the legal limit. As a precautionary measure, the Centre urged members of the public not to consume the affected batch of the product. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batch of product immediately should they possess it.

Details of the product are as follows:

Product name: Trappist Dairy Hi-calcium Low Fat Milk Drink
Product volume: 236 millilitres
Use by date: July 14, 2017

A CFS spokesman said, "The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from a retail outlet in Mong Kok for testing under its regular Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the total bacterial count of the sample was 230 000 per millilitre. According to the Milk Regulation, milk after heat treatment by means of pasteurisation should not contain more than 30 000 bacteria per millilitre.

"The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and instructed them to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected batch of the product. Prosecution will be initiated should there be sufficient evidence."

"The CFS has also inspected the production plant of the manufacturer, provided health education on food safety and hygiene for the staff and requested them to carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection. As a precautionary measure, the manufacturer has voluntarily stopped sale and removed from shelves the affected batch of the product," the spokesman said.

The spokesman said that the total bacterial count exceeding the legal limit indicated unsatisfactory hygienic conditions, but it did not mean that it would lead to food poisoning. Nevertheless, it will be prudent for consumers who have bought the affected product to refrain from drinking it. The trade should also stop using or selling it.

The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.


Ends/Thursday, July 13, 2017