Two imported ice-cream samples detected with total bacterial counts exceeding legal limit
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department noted today (January 29) that the total bacterial counts of two ice-cream samples of the same kind imported from Japan were found to exceed the legal limit. The affected products have been marked and sealed at import level and have not entered the market. The CFS is following up on the case.
Product details are as follows:
Product name: Mimona Autumn taste (Figs ice & Japanese chestnut & Caramel sauce)
Product brand: Daiichi
Place of origin: Japan
Manufacturer: Daiichi Foods Co Ltd
Importer: Circle K Convenience Stores (HK) Ltd
Net weight: 70 grams
Best-before date: End March, 2020
A spokesman for the CFS said, "The above ice-cream samples were collected at import level for testing under the routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test results showed that the two samples contained total bacterial counts of 60 000 per gram and 69 000 per gram, exceeding the legal limit."
Under the Frozen Confections Regulation (Cap 132AC), frozen confection for sale should not contain more than 50 000 bacteria per gram. The maximum penalty for offenders is a fine of $10,000 and three months' imprisonment upon conviction. The fact that the total bacterial 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 has informed the importer concerned of the irregularities. The affected products have all been marked and sealed and have not entered the market. The importer will also voluntarily surrender the affected products for CFS' disposal. The CFS has temporarily suspended the permission to import for sale of the product concerned granted earlier to the importer," the spokesman said.
The CFS will inform the Japanese authorities of the incident, and will continue to follow up and take appropriate action.
Ends/Monday, January 29, 2018
