Undeclared allergens (milk and soya) found in energy drink

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (October 17) announced that a kind of energy drink manufactured in the United Kingdom (UK) was suspected to contain food allergens, milk and soya, but they were not declared on the food label. A spokesman for the CFS advised consumers who are allergic to milk and soya to refrain from consuming the affected batch of the product. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected product immediately should they possess it.

Product details are as follows:

Name of product: HIGH5 Energy Source Summer Fruits
Place of origin: UK
Manufacturer: H5 Ltd.
Importer: Streamline Sports
Packing: 12 sachets per box, 47grams per sachet
Batch code: L170218/2
Best-before date: June 13, 2019

"The CFS, through its Food Incident Surveillance System, learned of the notice issued by the UK Food Standards Agency that the manufacturer of the product concerned is recalling the affected batch of the product because it may contain food allergens, milk and soya, but they are not declared on the food label. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately followed up with major local importers. Preliminary investigation found that the above-mentioned importer had imported 24 boxes of the affected batch of the product and some of them had been sold. The importer has stopped sale and removed from shelves the affected product and initiated a recall. Members of the public can call the importer’s hotline at 2893 3044 for enquiries during office hours about the recall," the spokesman said.
　　
The spokesman advised consumers who are allergic to milk and soya to stop consuming the product concerned. People should seek medical treatment if they feel unwell after consuming it.

"People who are allergic to milk and soya may have immunologic response like vomiting, diarrhoea and rash upon consumption of food containing these allergens. In severe cases, anaphylactic shock may even develop. As for other members of the public, generally speaking, they would not be subject to such reactions when the food in question is consumed," he said.

The Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap 132W) require that all prepackaged food for sale in Hong Kong should list out the food ingredients in its list of ingredients. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.

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

Ends/Tuesday, October 17, 2017