CFS urges public not to consume several kinds of ice cream from France with possible presence of ethylene oxide

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (December 9) urged the public not to consume six kinds of ice cream imported from France, because the stabiliser used in the products was found with a pesticide, ethylene oxide, which is not authorised by the European Union (EU). The trade should stop using or selling the affected batches of the products immediately if they possess them.

Details of the products are as follows:
 
Product names:
1) Chocolate Cheesecake Flavoured Ice Cream
2) Milk Chocolate Frozen Confection with Dark Chocolate
3) Belgian Dark Chocolate Ice Cream
4) Vanilla Flavoured Cocoa Infused Ice Cream
5) Caramel Coffee Frozen Confection with Dark Chocolate Chips
6) Strawberry Ice Cream with Dark Chocolate Chips
Brand: GODIVA
Place of origin: France
Net volume: 100 milliliters
Best-before dates:
1) October 31, 2022 and March 31, 2023
2) October 31, 2022, March 31, 2023 and April 30, 2023
3) October 31, 2022 and March 31, 2023 and April 30, 2023
4) October 31, 2022 and March 31, 2023
5) November 30, 2022 and March 31, 2023
6) October 31, 2022 and March 31, 2023
Importer: Godiva Chocolatier (Asia) Limited

A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS received a notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) of the European Commission that the stabiliser used in the above-mentioned products was found with a pesticide, ethylene oxide, which is not authorised by the EU. According to the information provided by the RASFF, the affected products have been imported into Hong Kong. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately contacted the local importer concerned for follow-up. Preliminary investigation found that the above-mentioned importer had imported into Hong Kong the affected batches of the products concerned."

Since ethylene oxide is not authorised by the EU, for the sake of prudence, the above-mentioned importer has stopped sale and remove from shelves the affected batches of the products upon the CFS' instructions and has initiated a recall. Members of the public may call the relevant importer at 3765 5818 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.

The spokesman urged consumers not to consume the affected batches of the products if they have bought any. The trade should also stop using or selling the products concerned immediately if they possess them.
 
The CFS will alert the trade to the incident, and will continue to follow up and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.
 
Ends/Thursday, December 9, 2021