CFS urges public not to consume several kinds of milk imported without import permission

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (August 24) announced that the Centre has found at the retail level five kinds of milk imported from Australia without import permission approved by the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene (DFEH). The CFS called on the public not to consume the products concerned. The trade should also stop selling or using the affected products should they possess them.

Details of the products are as follows:

Product name: Coles Lite Milk
Brand: Coles
Place of origin: Australia
Importer: KYLH International Trading PTY Limited
Net volume: 1 litre per carton
Best-before date: January 24, 2022

Product name: Coles Skim Milk  
Brand: Coles
Place of origin: Australia
Importer: KYLH International Trading PTY Limited
Net volume: 1 litre per carton
Best-before date: January 23, 2022

Product name: Coles Lactose Free Full Cream Milk
Brand: Coles
Place of origin: Australia
Importer: KYLH International Trading PTY Limited
Net volume: 1 litre per carton
Best-before date: February 4, 2022

Product name: Coles Lactose Free Low Fat Milk
Brand: Coles
Place of origin: Australia
Importer: KYLH International Trading PTY Limited
Net volume: 1 litre per carton
Best-before date: January 29, 2022

Product name: Coles Full Cream Milk
Brand: Coles
Place of origin: Australia
Importer: KYLH International Trading PTY Limited
Net volume: 1 litre per carton
Best-before date: February 6, 2022

A spokesman for the CFS said, "When handling a relevant complaint, the CFS found that the above-mentioned products, for which no import permission of the DFEH had been obtained, were sold at an online shop. The CFS immediately instructed the vendor concerned to stop sale of the products concerned and traced their source and distribution. Upon follow-up investigation, it was found that the sole importer concerned had imported 900 cartons of the products. The CFS immediately instructed the importer concerned to stop sale of the products in question, remove them from shelves and initiate a recall. Enquiries about the recall can be made to the importer's hotline at 6728 6005 during office hours. Prosecution will be instituted should there be sufficient evidence."

According to the Milk Regulation (Cap. 132AQ), any person who sells any milk or milk beverage imported into Hong Kong from a source of manufacture other than a source of manufacture which has been approved by the DFEH commits an offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for three months upon conviction.

The CFS will alert the trade to the incident and remind importers of milk products that they should comply with the requirements under the Milk Regulation. It will continue to follow up and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health. Investigation is ongoing.

Ends/Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Issued at HKT 19:48