CFS urges public not to consume kind of imported corn chips due to possible contamination with tropane alkaloids atropine and scopolamine

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (July 27) urged the public not to consume a kind of imported corn chips, due to possible contamination with tropane alkaloids atropine and scopolamine. The trade should stop using or selling the affected batches of the product immediately if they possess them.

Product details are as follows:

Product name: Tortilla Chips Organic
Brand: Santa Maria
Place of origin: Germany
Net weight: 125 grams per pack
Batch no.: 31291, 31321, 31347, 32047, 32095
Expiry dates: August 18, 2022; September 17, 2022; October 13, 2022; December 16, 2022 and February 5, 2023
Importer: Pear & Carrot 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 above-mentioned product is suspected to be contaminated with tropane alkaloids atropine and scopolamine. According to the information provided by the RASFF, the affected product has been imported into Hong Kong and the origin of the contamination may be from ingredient used during production. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately contacted the above-mentioned local importer for follow-up. Preliminary investigation found that the above-mentioned importer had imported into Hong Kong the affected batches of the product concerned."

For the sake of prudence, the above-mentioned importer has stopped selling and removed from shelves the affected batches of the product upon the CFS's instructions and has initiated a recall. Members of the public may call the relevant importer at 3616 0248 during office hours for enquiries about the recall. 

The spokesman said that consumption of products contaminated with tropane alkaloids atropine and scopolamine may cause short-term adverse effects, for example, dilated pupils, change of heart rate, dryness of the mouth, and flushed skin. Tropane alkaloids atropine and scopolamine will be excreted from the body and therefore there are no long term health effects.

The spokesman urged the public not to consume the affected batches of the product if they have bought any. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batches of the product concerned immediately if they possess them.

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

Ends/Wednesday, July 27, 2022